Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Pineapples



Pineapples are my favorite fruit! They are so juicy, sweet and tart. They make you feel like you're on a tropical island.

Pineapples (Ananas comosus) take eighteen months or longer to grow! They must be grown from the crowns or tops of other pineapples and are only harvested when they are ripe.

Pineapples are grown in Hawaii, Costa Rica, Brazil, Honduras, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Ecuador, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Thailand, China and the Philippines. Christopher Columbus was the first person to bring pineapples to Europe after finding them on the Caribbean island of Guadeloupe in 1493.

Pineapples are Healthy

Pineapples are a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B6, vitamin B1, copper, manganese and dietary fiber. One cup of pineapple provides 94% of your RDA of vitamin C and only 74 calories. Pineapples also contain a group of digestive enzymes called bromelain. Bromelain is known to have anti-inflammatory properties. There have been many research studies that focus on bromelain.

Benefits of Bromelain

  • Anti-inflammatory action
  • May inhibit platelet aggregation
  • May interfere with the growth of malignant cells and tumors
  • Enhanced absorption of drugs (amoxicillin)
  • Skin debridement properties (The healing of burns, pressure ulcers, etc.)
  • May dissolve the fibrin in blood clots facilitating wound healing (Fibrinolytic activity)
  • May help relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis
  • May act as a blood thinner and help relieve symptoms of angina and thrombophlebitis
Cancer Prevention

Scientists at Cornell University found that pineapples reduced the formation of nitrosamines (potential carcinogens) in humans.

Using Pineapples

Find a pineapple that is heavy for it's size, free of soft spots and bruises and free of darkened "eyes." Pineapples stop ripening as soon as they are picked, so choose one that has a fragrant sweet smell at the stem end. They can be kept at room temperature for about 1 to 2 days or stored in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for 3-5 days.

Pineapple juice is a perfect base for marinades. Since pineapple contains bromelain, it acts as a meat tenderizer.

Pineapple Recipes


Grilled Pineapple

Maui Gold pineapple recipes

Baked Plantain and Pineapple Dessert

Vegan Light Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Rum-Spiked Grilled Pineapple with Toasted Coconut

6 comments:

BrnEyedGal said...

Wow...I didn't know it took 18 mos to grow a pineapple??? Cool!
Im going to try the Vegan Pineapple Upside Down Cake...sounds wonderful!
Thank you for visiting and following me back! I so appreciate it! (I did figure out how to follow you btw! Yeah.)
Your sight is just beautiful...now Im hungry and have to have a snack, LOL!
BrnEyedGal

Country Mouse, City Mouse said...

I had no idea how long it took to grow a pineapple!! Wow

Dina said...

Thank you both for your nice comments. :)

It is amazing to me that it takes a year and a half for a pineapple to grow! Makes me appreciate them even more.

Anonymous said...

I didn't realize how long it took to grow a pineapple. I love pineapples especially grilled. Man they are good that way. My hubby's favorite dessert is pineapple upside down cake. I use the juice from the canned slices instead of the water that you are supposed to use for the cake mix. Delicious, not to mention it makes it so much more moist.

Jenjen @GottaLoveMom said...

I love pineapples!! Reminds me of the Philippines!yummy

mchl said...

now i want a yogurt parfait with pineapple!

-michael