Canning Pineapple with these Easy Steps
Canning pineapple is a great means for preserving this tropical fruit. The steps for canning fresh pineapple is quite simple, allowing you a healthier fruit option without a metallic taste from aluminum cans.
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Canning fresh pineapple is not something most people consider. However, if you love this tropical fruit then take advantage of putting it in a jar.
During the winter months pineapple is available at many local markets, and often at a very discounted price. And in truth, this is the best time to take advantage of preserving this delicious fruit.
I’m an island girl from the beautiful island of O’ahu; where pineapple is grown, yet very little of it is consumed by the locals. When I moved to the mainland, I found myself consuming more of this fruit than I did as a kid.
Go figure.
Now, as a home food preserver I take advantage of purchasing and canning pineapple whenever I find it on sale. Especially organic pineapple. There are a plethora of methods for preserving this fruit, so why not take advantage of it?
The Sustainable Canning Course
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Canning Fresh Pineapple
Outside of eating the fruit directly from the jar, because it’s really that good, consider using it as an ingredient for cooking.
- On top of pizza
- Shish kebob skewers
- In fruit salads
- Homemade teriyaki sauce
- Add to pork, steaks, salmon
- Blend to add to a smoothie or yogurt
- A quick fruit salsa for street tacos like tacos de lengua
However, if canning pineapple isn’t in your wheelhouse then consider preserving it through dehydrating, freezing or turning it into a juice concentrate with the use of a steam juicer.
One other tip, before tossing the outer skin consider making a homemade pineapple infused vodka. The flavor is incredible and mixes well with a delicious pineapple ginger shrub! Or use the peels can also be infused in white wine vinegar to make a great tasting dressing.
Your options on what to prepare with home canned pineapple is endless, so why not give canning pineapple a try?
My Book
The Farm Girl’s Guide to Preserving the Harvest is a comprehensive book covering multiple methods for preserving foods in the comfort of your home. Learn how to safely can, dry, ferment, cure, freeze, and store foods fresh as a sustainable homesteader would. The tips, tricks, and recipes within this book will provide you the confidence and knowledge needed to own your food source.
Ingredients
Before beginning, make sure to grab enough pineapple to get the job done. An average of 13 pounds will fill 7-pint jars, whereas 21 pounds of pineapple will fill 7-quart jars. An average of 3 pounds of pineapple will fit into 1-quart jar.
Also, keep in mind, salt and sugar are not needed in home canned foods. These items add flavor, but are not necessary. Plus, the longer home canned goods are on the shelf, the more amplified in flavor the spices become.
Salt is not a necessary item. I add salt to draw the natural sugars from the fruit.
- 2 large pineapples
- 1 pinch of sea salt, optional
- boiling water
Using Simple Syrup
Aside from canning pineapple in water, it can also be preserved in a simple syrup. This method is ideal for a great tasting snack item. However, pineapple canned in water makes for a more universal product.
In place of sugar, honey can be used as a sweetener. This is great for eating canned pineapple as a snack, but pineapple canned in honey will alter the flavor if you plan to cook with it.
Simple Syrup Solution
- Very light – 1 cup sugar to 4 cups water
- Light – 2 cups sugar to 4 cups water
- Medium – 3 cups sugar to 4 cups water
- Heavy – 4 3/4 cup sugar to 4 cups water
Equipment
A steam canner is an ideal canning tool used to can high acidic food items. This amazing tool process canned goods with the use of 2 inches and steam. In addition to being efficiency, this tool minimizes the wear and tear of your stove.
- steam canner or hot water bath canner
- jar funnel
- air bubble remover
- 7-pint Mason jars,
- sharp knife
- cutting board
How to Can Pineapple
Determine what canning method to use, raw pack or hot pack. I have used both methods, but prefer the raw packing method.
Raw packing – The fruit is placed fresh and uncooked into warm jars, then filled with boiling water and process.
Hot packing – Simmer the cut fruit in boiling water or a simple syrup mixture for 10 minutes. This process removes air from within the fruit, helps to maintain color, and prevents enzymes from causing the fruit to continue ripening. Once simmered, fill the jars with the hot liquid in which the pineapple slices were simmered in, and process.
The canning tips provided are for the raw pack method.
- Prepare the steam canner or hot water bath canner and warm lids.
- Wash and peel the outer skin.
- Cut of the top and bottom of the fruit.
- Next, cut away the outer layer, taking care to leave as much of the fruit as possible. Remove any remaining eyes.
- Quarter the peeled pineapple the long way, remove and reserve the tough fiber core.
- Cube the pineapple into pieces no larger than 1-inch.
- Using a jar funnel, fill jars.
- Add boiling water and a pinch of salt (optional).
- Wipe rims, add warmed lids, and process according to the altitude which you reside. See the chart below.
The Processing time for Preserving Pineapple
Easy Steps for Canning Pineapple – Printable Recipe Card
Canning Pineapple with these Easy Steps
How to can pineapple is extremely easy with the use of a hot water bath or steam canner. Canning pineapple at home allows for a clean, metallic free, full flavored fruit which is ideal for snacking or cooking.
Ingredients
- 2 large pineapples,, totaling 13 pounds
- 1 pinch of sea salt,, optional
- boiling water,, or use a simple syrup solution (see article)
Instructions
- Prepare the steam canner or hot water bath canner and warm lids.
- Wash and peel the outer skin
- Cut of the top and bottom of the fruit.
- Next, remove the outer layer of the fruit, taking care to leave as much of the fruit as possible. Remove any remaining eyes.
- Quarter the peeled pineapple the long way, remove and reserve the tough fiber core.
- Cube the pineapple into pieces no larger than 1-inch.
- Using a jar funnel, fill jars.
- Add boiling water and a pinch of salt (optional).
- Wipe rims, add warmed lids, and process according to the altitude which you reside. See processing times included in the article.
Notes
Equipment
Steam Canner or Hot Water Bath Canner
Jar Funnel
Air Bubble Remover
Pint or Quart size Mason jars
sharp knife
cutting board
Raw packing - The food item is placed fresh into warm jars, then filled with boiling water and process.
Hot packing - Simmer the cut pineapple in boiling water a or simple syrup mixture for 10 minutes. This process removes any air from within the fruit and slows the enzymes which cause the fruit to continue ripening. Fill the jars, add the hot liquid which the pineapple was simmered in, and process.
Reserve the peels to make a pineapple infused vodka or salad dressing.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
7Serving Size:
1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Regardless if you are canning pineapple as a snack item or using it as a ingredient for cooking, this fruit is a must for every pantry.
This is a great idea. I’m new to canning and love pineapple. I think this will be a great way to get started.
Yay, congratulations! If you haven’t grabbed a copy of my book, do. It will hold your hand and guide you through every phase of the harvest!
What is the processing time for raw pack? The chart only lists hot pack.
It’s the same.