For a fresh and frozen treat, grab a fresh pineapple and a blender. This pineapple slushie recipe is perfect for a chilled drink packed with nutrients and tropical fun.
Using a sharp knife, remove the tops and bottoms of the pineapple.
Place the pineapple flat onto the cutting board.
Run a sharp knife along the sides of the pineapple, in downward strips, cutting off the green skin.
Once the green skin has been removed, cut the pineapple in half vertically.
Place the halves flat-side down onto the cutting board.
Slice each half, in half again. The pineapple should now be in quarters.
Flip over a quarter and cut the hard center core off. Discard. Repeat for all 4 pieces.
Cut the quarters in half again. Then chop into 1 inch sized pieces. Repeat for all pineapple.
Add your ice cubes to a blender.
Add in the pineapple.
Blend on high speed for 1-2 minutes or until smooth.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
Recipe Tips
You can make this pineapple slush drink thicker by adding in more ice cubes. Note that room temperature pineapple can cause the ice to melt more quickly, so chilled pineapple is preferred for a thicker drink. (Or just add in more ice cubes).
How to Tell if Pineapple is Ripe
You will know that your pineapple is ripe when the exterior color is more yellow and no longer green-gray. It should look consistently golden in color from top to bottom. If it appears dark orange, it may be too ripe.
When you squeeze on the pineapple, it should feel firm but have a little give. If it's too soft, that's a sign that the pineapple is too ripe and rock solid pineapples aren't ripe enough. When lifted and held, your pineapples should feel heavy and not hollow.
When pineapples are ripe, you should be able to smell them when in close proximity. This is another great sign that they're ready to eat.
I like to make sure my pineapples are ripe by performing the Frond Test. To do this, grab a green leaf from the top of the pineapple (these are called fronds). They should look healthy and green, but a few dry or browning ones should be okay and make no difference.
Pick a leaf. It doesn't matter which. If you pluck it and it comes off easily or with little effort, the pineapple is ripe. If it's hard to pull or tug and it doesn't feel loose at all, the pineapple isn't ready.