Ever since I got my hands on cotton candy grapes for the first time, I’ve been on the lookout for more candy-flavored fruit. Now, when I’m at the grocery store, it’s hard not to find something new in the produce section.
The next thing I buy will be one of Del Monte’s pink pineapples!
What Exactly Is a Pink Pineapple?
It’s precisely what you’d expect: a pineapple with pink flesh. It turns out this “Jewel of the Jungle” is more complex that meets the eye, though. According to Del Monte, this colorful new fruit is 16 years in the making.
Grown in the South Central region of Costa Rica, these pretty pink creations (aka Pinkglow pineapples) taste different than regular pineapples. They’re less sour than what you might be used to, as well as juicier and sweeter. They even have some candy-like notes as well—sounds like I’m going to like these quite a bit! You can still expect the same great pineapple health benefits, though.
The pink coloring comes from the presence of lycopene, a natural pigment that occurs in other foods such as watermelon and tomatoes. Del Monte even keeps the leafy crowns of the purchased pineapples so they can continuously regrow their wonder crop. (You can do the same thing to grow a pineapple at home.)
Where to Buy Pink Pineapples
Pinkglow pineapples can be purchased from only two retailers, Melissa’s and Tropical Fruit Box. Both can be found at the Pinkglow website. You may have guessed, but pink pineapples aren’t as cheap as their yellow brethren. Right now, prices are between $30 and $50 a pop, so they’re definitely an investment. This may not be fruit you stock up on to snack on casually, but is definitely the kind of centerpiece that will make the perfect conversation starter for any small get-together.
50 Things to Make with Pink Pineapple
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Skillet Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
For a change of pace, you can substitute fresh or frozen peach slices for the pineapple in this old-fashioned recipe. —Bernardine Melton, Paola, Kansas
Pina Colada Grilled Pineapple
During a cookout with friends, I forgot about dessert. I had a fresh pineapple and coconut, so I improvised. Now I grill pineapple at every cookout. —Josee Lanzi, New Port Richey, Florida
Pineapple-Glazed Chicken Thighs
These juicy chicken thighs taste so rich and delicious with a sweet pineapple-maple glaze. I love that I can reach in my pantry for ingredients and end up with this impressive weeknight meal. —Trisha Kruse, Eagle, Idaho
Caramelized Pineapple Sundaes
Whenever we get a craving for a tropical escape, this super simple recipe whisks us away in no time. Vanilla's nice but drizzling the sauce over salted caramel ice cream and taking a bite is just pure paradise. —Elisabeth Larsen, Pleasant Grove, Utah
Frozen Pineapple-Kiwi Pops
Kiwi, pineapple, sugar and water are all you need to make these easy, breezy freezer pops.—Colleen Ludovice, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Pina Colada Dip
If you like pina coladas, you've gotta try this fluffy fruit dip. Scooped up with a slice of fresh pineapple, it tastes just like the beloved beachside drink. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee Wisconsin
Southwestern Pineapple Pork Chops
This quick-to-fix entrée will instantly transport you to the Southwest. Salsa plays lively counterpoint to the juicy pineapple-sweetened pork chops.—Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Creamy Pineapple Fluff Salad
Guests of all ages will gravitate to this traditional “fluff” salad, chock-full of pineapple, marshmallows and cherry bits. —Janice Hensley, Owingsville, Kentucky
Pineapple Pie with Coconut Cream
You’ll find pineapples and coconuts everywhere in the South Pacific, so we play them up in this creamy cool pineapple pie, dolloped with coconut cream. Divine! —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii
Roro's Pineapple Cookies
My memories of Christmas always include my mom's pineapple cookies. The kids called her Roro, and we still make them every year to keep her memory alive. You can substitute your favorite flavor of preserves for the pineapple. —Donna Scarano, East Hanover, New Jersey
Pineapple-Papaya Slaw
This is no ordinary coleslaw! Bursting with flavor from fresh fruit, cilantro and red bell pepper, it just may become your new picnic mainstay. For easier preparation, buy packaged shredded cabbage. If you can't find papaya, substitute mango. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Coconut-Pineapple Rhubarb Bars
I make this crunchy, buttery dessert bar with homegrown rhubarb. For an added attraction, serve it warm with frozen yogurt or ice cream. —Raymonde Bourgeois, Swastika, Ontario
Grilled Peach & Pineapple Sangria
Grill up fresh peaches and pineapple slathered in cinnamon butter and use them to make a refreshing summer sangria. I also like to add slices of grilled lemon and lime to drop in the glass for a citrusy boost of flavor. —Heather King, Frostburg, Maryland
Banana-Pineapple Cream Pies
My mother gave me this simple and delicious recipe years ago. The recipe makes two pies, so it's perfect for a potluck. I've never met anyone who didn't like it! —Robyn Appenzeller, Portsmouth, Virginia
Curried Chicken Salad with Pineapple and Grapes
This fun and flavorful beauty turns last night’s cooked chicken into a delightful salad that’s perfect for lunch. —Linda Bevill, Monticello, Arkansas
Pineapple Orange Cake
This is one of my favorite cakes. It’s moist and light yet so satisfying. I’ve been adapting it for years and now it’s almost guilt-free. —Pam Sjolund, Columbia, South Carolina
Brown Sugar Pineapple Ham
With just four ingredients, this pineapple glaze for ham is straightforward and simple — just what you're looking for in a holiday ham with easy steps. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Pineapple-Coconut Smoothie
Use fresh or frozen fruits in this coconutty recipe. It's like a pina colada, but better for you and more versatile. —Gunjan Dudani, Bellevue, Washington
Pina Colada Tube Cake
We named this a “pina colada” cake because it has coconut, pineapple and rum. It’s a soothing finish at the end of a big spread. —Debra Keil, Owasso, Oklahoma
Fresh Fruit Salsa
This salad has all the bright colors and fresh flavors of summer. —Mary E. Relyea, Canastota, New York.
Pineapple Upside-Down Muffins
For a modern version of upside-down cake, we use pineapple and a sweet batter to make fun muffins with a cherry on top. —Suzeanne Longwill, Ortonville, Michigan
Scalloped Pineapple Casserole
My family can't get enough of this sweet and satisfying side dish. This casserole disappears quickly whenever I prepare it.—Judy Howle, Columbus, Mississippi
Grilled Pineapple with Lime Dip
Serve this dish as an appetizer or a dessert—the choice is yours! If desired, the pineapple spears can be rolled in flaked coconut before grilling. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Pina Colada Molded Salad
My gelatin ring gets a tropical twist from coconut, pineapple and macadamia nuts. It's a wonderful anytime treat. Now that I'm retired from teaching, I have more time for kitchen experiments. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Pineapple Shrimp Fried Rice
My husband often ordered pineapple fried rice at Thai restaurants, so I surprised him by tweaking some similar recipes to come up with a version that's both simple and delicious. —Bonnie Brien, Pacific Grove, California
Creamy Pineapple Pie
Creamy Pineapple Pie is a light and refreshing dessert that's quick to make and impressive to serve. This is one of our favorite ways to complete a summer meal. —Sharon Bickett, Chester, South Carolina
John's Pineapple-Cream Cheese Muffins
When I got married, my mother-in-law gave me her recipe for pineapple muffins so I could make them for my husband, John. They’re his favorites—and now they’re mine, too! —Diane Turner, Brunswick, Ohio
Pineapple-Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
I found the original recipe on a can of pineapple slices in the 1980s. After making it for a number of years, I lightened up the ingredients and adapted it to a quick skillet meal. My family gave it a big thumbs-up, and we've enjoyed it this way ever since! —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Pineapple Upside-Down Muffin Cakes
A friend submitted this recipe to a cookbook our school district was compiling. The first time I made them, the whole family declared the recipe a winner. Delicious and healthy to boot, they remain favorites to this day. —Joan Hallford, North Richland Hills, Texas
Pineapple Upside-Down Dump Cake
This dump cake recipe is wonderful topped with vanilla ice cream or whipped cream. It works well with gluten-free and sugar-free cake mixes too. —Karin Gatewood, Dallas, Texas
Hot Dog Sliders with Mango-Pineapple Salsa
For parties, we shrink lots of foods to slider size, including these quick hot dogs. Pile on the easy but irresistible fruit salsa for a burst of fresh flavor. —Carole Resnick, Cleveland, Ohio
Pineapple Breeze Torte
This lovely torte features ladyfingers, a creamy filling and a crushed pineapple topping. It's a special treat for my large family and a must at Christmas. —Barbara Joyner, Franklin, Virginia
Grilled Tilapia with Pineapple Salsa
Years ago I found a grilled tilapia recipe in a seafood cookbook. The pineapple salsa with cilantro has a touch of spice and goes so well with the flaky, tender fish. —Beth Fleming, Downers Grove, Illinois
Pineapple Cheesecake-Topped Cake
My brother-in-law asked me to make a cheesecake version of pineapple upside down cake, and after many attempts, I created one. It’s a yummy twist on a classic.—Rebecca Everett, Kansas City, Missouri
Sweet Potato, Orange & Pineapple Crunch
I combined my two absolute favorite sweet potato casseroles in the world to create my own version for the holiday table. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Tropical Cranberry Cobbler
The sunny island flavors of pineapple and orange go so well with the tart cranberries in this Hawaiian-inspired dessert. A scoop of vanilla ice cream makes it a creamy treat. —Jeanne Holt, Mendota Heights, Minnesota
Pina Colada Zucchini Bread
At my husband's urging, I entered this recipe at the Pennsylvania Farm Show and won first place! I think you'll love the cakelike texture and tropical flavors. —Sharon Rydbom, Tipton, Pennsylvania
Coconut-Pineapple Sherbet Torte
I made up this torte one afternoon, and when I served it that night, it vanished within minutes. That's when I knew I'd struck gold. —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Teriyaki Pineapple Drumsticks
We have a large family and throw big parties, so I look for ways to free my husband from the grill. Roasted drumsticks keep everyone happy. —Erica Allen, Tuckerton, New Jersey
Frozen Hawaiian Pie
Cool summer pies are one of Mom's specialties. This version offers pineapple, maraschino cherries and walnuts that are folded into a fluffy filling. It's an easy yet tempting no-bake dessert. —Jennifer Mcquillan, Jacksonville, Florida
Easy Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs
The already prepared meatballs make this a very easy and quick supper. You can use your own homemade meatballs or store-bought if you're in a pinch. —Ruth Andrewson, Leavenworth, Washington
Cream Cheese-Pineapple Pie
I've made this pie many times for friends, relatives, guests, church suppers and bazaars, and I'm always getting requests for the recipe. I've lived on farms all my life—we used to have a potato farm on Long Island, and now my son farms his own land and manages mine here in Delaware, growing soybeans and wheat. —Elizabeth Brown, Clayton, Delaware
Big Kahuna Pizza
A prebaked pizza crust and refrigerated barbecued pork make this tasty supper idea super fast and super easy. Cut into bite-sized pieces, and it can double as a great last-minute appetizer, too! —Joni Hilton, Rocklin, California
Pina Colada Icebox Cake
This icebox cake has all of the flavors of a pina colada. It takes just one bite to escape to a tropical island! —Rachel Lewis, Danville, Virginia
Pineapple Star Cookies
I'm grateful my neighbor gave me this special recipe. When you see the cookies' pretty shape and savor the pineapple filling and sweet frosting, you'll know they're worth the effort. —Sarah Lukaszewicz, Batavia, New York
Hawaiian Waffles
I created this waffle recipe to recapture the memorable tropical tastes we enjoyed while visiting Hawaii. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Island Breezes Coffee Cake
With the island flavors, this simple pull-apart bread is perfect for a spring brunch. —Debra Goforth, Newport, Tennessee
Pineapple-Dijon Pork Chops
I like to dress up pork chops with pineapple, peach or apricot preserves. Whenever I do, I always serve mashed sweet potatoes on the side. They make a perfect pair. —Jane McMillan, Dania Beach, Florida
Pina Colada Biscuits
This recipe is quick to make and tastes great. You'll think you're on a tropical vacation! —Carolyn Piette, Johnston, Rhode Island
Pineapple Oatmeal
Oatmeal for breakfast is a standard item, but I like to mix it up a bit. This version gets some natural sweetness from pinapple juice and tidbits. It is definitely worth trying! —Maria Regakis, Somerville, MassachusettsThe post Pink Pineapples Are Real—Here’s Where to Find Them appeared first on Taste of Home.
Melany Love