Today is International Pineapple Day! And if any fruit deserved it’s own day it would be the pineapple. I can’t get enough of this sweet, golden, tropical treat. If only I could grow it in my backyard. Have you ever seen how a pineapple grows? To be honest I had never put much thought into it until my first trip to Hawaii several years ago. I just sort of assumed that they grew on trees like coconuts, papayas and other tropical delights. And then we went to the Dole Plantation and I learned that I was completely wrong.
Not a tree at all, but large (they can grow up to five feet tall) plants that actually resemble the green tops of the pineapple fruit. Although we often associate pineapple with Hawaii (and they do grow amazing pineapple) the majority of pineapple is actually grown in other parts of the world like Costa Rica, the Philippines, Brazil and Thailand.
There are so many ways to serve pineapple. Its amazing all on its own, it’s a great addition to summer salads and fits nicely on skewers with chicken and fresh sweet peppers. Of course pineapple is a must for tropical summer drinks too. And my favorite way to to prepare pineapple is on the grill.
Grilled Pineapple, Prosciutto and Goat Cheese Crostini With Balsamic Pineapple Reduction. This is summertime backyard entertaining perfection. In fact I am already trying to squeeze in a get together just so I have an excuse to make these again. They are that good. Made with sweet Dole Pineapple Slices, slightly salty prosciutto and smooth and creamy goat cheese, this is the ultimate summer time finger food. And next time I’m going to whip up a pitcher of Sparkling South Seas Sangria to go along with them. You can find the Sangria recipe (along with some other summer time favorites) here.
Do you have any summer parties planned? We love entertaining in our backyard. We have so many great memories with friends and families on warm summer evenings. Good weather, good food and great company. You really can’t ask for anything better. And as much as I love to cook, and I really do, I also like to be able to spend time with my guests instead of hiding away in the kitchen. That’s one of the great things about grilling. And I also rely on products that make things easier. Convenient, ready-to-eat Dole Canned Pineapple is available in slices, tidbits, chunks and crushed all packed in 100% pineapple juice. And I’ll be honest, I SUCK at peeling and cutting pineapple. So I’ll leave all the hard stuff to Dole and just take the credit for the amazing food.
I’ve got a sweet little giveaway to help make your summer get togethers a little more tropical and fun. You can win this Party Like a Pineapple prize pack from Dole! It has some fun little items to make your party bright and inviting and some delicious Dole pineapple products to make your dishes (and drinks) mouth watering.
Giveaway is open to Canadian residents (except Quebec) age 18 and over. Prize may vary slightly from what is pictured. Enter using the form below. Good luck!
Disclaimer: I was not financially compensated for this post. I received a sample for review purposes. The opinions are completely my own based on my experience.
I love Dole pineapple! My fav dribk is just a simple pineapple smoothie. Perfect for a nice hot day.
My favorite is definitely Upside Down Pineapple Cake!
I love adding pineapple whenever I make ham. It gives it such a great flavour, and I love eating the warm pineapple with it.
Pineapple Chicken Tenders. Skewered chicken tenders are brushed with a tropical mixture of pineapple juice, brown sugar, and soy sauce, and grilled.
There is a carrot cake recipe that utilizes crushed pineapple I enjoy and it is beyond delicious!
I love pineapple and my favourite dessert is easy pineapple dessert pie, so very light and tasty!!
I have to say I’m pretty partial to Pina Coladas They are my favourite drink!
I love to eat pineapples plain the best but I also love them in a tropical smoothie. I toss pineapple, banana, mango and sometimes orange into some pineapple juice in the blender and it’s done.
I adore pineapple! We use it on pizza and mixing it with whipping cream and putting it on an angel food cake is my favourite!
I like to just eat it plain, on its own!
I love pineapple upside down cake! yum!!
My mom makes this cheesecake dessert that has pineapple in it, its so good!
I make a yummy Banana Split cake
I love pinapple upside down cake as well as just eating pineapple on my pizza!
I love pineapple in the snowball desert.
My favourite drink is a chi chi
I remember my mother making pineapple squares. They had a topping that was somewhat like a meringue. I really liked them.
I love grilled pineapple!
I love grilled pineapple served over vanilla ice cream.
I love a good pina colada!
either on its own or on pizza
I love grilled pineapple on the BBQ
I love using pineapples in my banana split cakes. I am redoing my kitchen soon in pineapple theme
Malibu and pineapple juice 🙂 perfect on a hot summer day.
I like pineapple milkshakes.
I love an upside pinapple cake!!
PINA COLADA FOR SURE SO DELICIOUS
I love champagne and pineapple juice
i love upside down pineapple cake
I love Pineapple Upside Down Cake!
I love pineapple! In fact I keep saying that pineapple is the new bacon because 2017 feels like the year of the pineapple. It’s everywhere! Memes, inspirational/motivational quotes, in foods, in decor, on dishes and *IN* dishes! Fun!
I like pineapple with my Greek yogurt, on pizza, in smoothies.. and speaking of bacon, how awesome would it be to have bacon wrapped pineapple (kind of like a bacon wrapped scallop) and grill it? OMG! YUM!
Fun post! (It’s inspiring me to write a new one!)
I love a sponge cake with crushed pineapple and whipped cream.
My favorite pineapple dish is pineapple upside down cake!
I like pineapple upside down cake.
I like to drink it straight up from a glass and sometimes with a little vodka.
I love a yummy Pineapple Upside Down Cake!
I love me a pina colada!!
Hawaiian Pizza!! Does that count? Its my favourite meal and would be incomplete without the pineapple!
I like them in my smoothie or right out of the can.
I like just about anything with pineapple in it but am very partial to grilled pineapple with ice cream.
My favorite pineapple dish is Dole Pineapple Upside Down cake.
I really like pineapple in mixed drinks
I love all things pineapple, but most of all Pina Coladas!! My daughter and I have been eating fresh pineapple for a couple of days now, and in the off season we eat canned as well. Love the pineapple vodka I found on a recent vacation too – brought 2 bottles and am savouring them this summer!!
Oh, and I can’t believe I forgot my all-time favourite pineapple dessert – Dole Whip!!
Pineapple upside down cake
Pineapple upside-down cake for sure!
my cousin recently made individual pineapple upside down cakes , now they are my favourite , i could eat them all day , maybe it wasn’t such a good idea to make them in smaller portions lol
I absolutely love grilled pineapple
I bought one of those things to take a full pineapple apart so we tend to basically just eat it raw but my husband has tried it grilled from a restaurant before
I love grilled pineapple!
I love Hawaiian pizza with ham and pineapple.
Straight up pineapple is a refreshing drink. Just add ice Love it! Pineapple with ice cream too
My favourite pineapple drink is just plain old pineapple juice. I also love to make pineapple muffins!
I love it grilled , on my pizza , chucks dipped in yogurt , and dole whip !
My favourite pineapple dessert is Dole Whip
I LOVE pineapple on pizza!!
I eat it with salt:)
I love pineapple on my pizza!!! My mom makes an awesome pineapple dessert too…
Pineapple and chicken shish-ka-bobs with veggies! Yummy!
I love sweet and sour pineapple chicken balls for my favorite pineapple meal and pineapple upside down cake for dessert.
I love grilled pineapple on the BBQ
I love pineapple plain or girlled!
My favourite is pineapple upside down cake.
I love pineapple cheesecake as well as smoothie
I love pineapple cheesecake
My favorite pineapple dish is baked pineapple ham !
Pina Coladas and also eat it plain.
I love pineapple buns. I grew up eating them.
I love to wrap pineapple into my crepes and eat them with a chocolate sauce.
I really do like pina coladas!
teriyaki chicken burger with a ring of pineapple
Definitely pineapple in pina colada!
I love Pineapple coconut squares with shortbread on the bottom.
I like pineapple smoothies.
I like to just eat it plain
I use Dole pineapple when I make my pineapple upside down cake!
Grilled pineapple is a family favorite!
I love grilled pineapple jalapeño chicken bites!
I love Pineapple cheese cake….it’s the best!!!
Pina Colada served in a coconut shell, or a hollowed out pineapple!
the only way I eat pineapple is loaded on my pizza, I love it but my family is not a big pineapple fan
I love a pineapple mango smoothie.
I love pineapple all by itself or on pizza
Pineapple dole whip!
I love to take a Angel Food cake mix and add a can of crushed pineapple, do not make the cake mix as per directions, just cake mix and the can of crushed pineapple. bake in oven according to package directions. makes a nice light snack