Pineapple is a surprisingly versatile fruit that not only compliments other fruits but also vegetables and meat as well. Pineapple forms the basis of many baby food recipes that your little one will adore.
Remember, always consult with your pediatrician regarding introducing new foods to your baby.
How to prepare a pineapple
Contents
Pineapple requires a little bit of preparation before it is suitable to be used in baby recipes. You need to remove that coarse outer skin as well as that spiky green stem shooting out the top of the pineapple.
A commonly used method to prepare a pineapple for baby food is as follows:
- Place pineapple on the side and cut off the top of the pineapple with a knife (this cut should not only remove the stalk but the top skin as well).
- Cut off the bottom of the pineapple.
- Stand the pineapple up and cut vertically down, removing the skin and leaving as much flesh as possible. Continue until all skin is removed.
- Depending on how accurate you were when moving the skin you may be left with small brown digits. These can be easily removed with a potato peeler.
- Cut the pineapple into circular slices to a thickness that suits you.
- If your pineapple has a hardcore, carefully remove it from a rash slice by either sawing or stabbing your way around the core.
- Remove the core with your fingers and presto, pineapple rings ready to be further cut if needed.
But there is an easier way…
Hands down the quickest and easiest way to core a pineapple is by using a pineapple slicer tool. All you need to do is cut off the spiky stem, insert the slicer and you have rings of pineapple in seconds. It even cores the pineapple for you. Genius.
Pineapple Slicer/Corer
Style: As pictured.
Features:
– Stainless steel.
– Easy to use.
– Slices a pineapple in seconds.
Now that you are preparing pineapples like a boss, let’s look at some baby food recipes for you to test your new skills on.
Pineapple Yogurt
A delicious yogurt treat for your baby packed full of pineapple flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1 pineapple ring
- apple juice
- 1 cup natural yogurt
Directions:
- Completely cover the pineapple ring in apple juice and soak for 5 minutes.
- Grill the pineapple until it begins to brown, flip the pineapple over and repeat for the other side.
- Remove the pineapple from girl and leave to cool until just warm.
- Puree pineapple in food processor before stirring into yogurt and serving as is.
Pineapple Puree
A lovely tropical baby puree.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup chopped pineapple
- 1 banana
Directions:
- Combine ingredients in a blender and puree until your baby’s favorite consistency is reached.
- Freeze any excess in an ice cube tray and defrost when needed.
Bonus Tip: Replace banana with 1 large pear for different yet just as tasty baby puree.
Pineapple Squash
Vegetables and fruit join forces to give your baby a delicious and nutritious meal.
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup pineapple (crushed)
- 1/2 acorn squash (seeds removed)
- 2 tablespoons apple juice
- 3 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 pinch of ground nutmeg
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 400F
- Grease a lidded baking dish and add squash.
- Rub 2 tablespoons coconut oil over the entire surface of the squash.
- Add apple juice to the hollow of the squash and bake covered for 30 minutes.
- Remove squash from oven and scoop out the flesh using a spoon. Set the shell aside.
- Place the squash flesh in a bowl and combine with nutmeg, pineapple and last teaspoon of coconut oil.
- Return this mixture to the squash shell and bake for a further 15 minutes.
- Leave to cool and either mash or puree to your baby’s preferred consistency.
Pineapple, Banana and Avocado Bonanza
A recipe that’s so crazy that it just might work….
Ingredients:
- 1/4 pineapple (peeled, cored, cut into pieces)
- 1 banana
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/2 cup natural yogurt
Directions:
- Combine ingredients in a blender and puree until nice and smooth.
- Serve immediately.
Super Sweet Potato
Sweet potato, when combined with pineapple, gets a whole lot sweeter. Your baby will love it.
Ingredients:
- 1 small sweet potato (peeled, diced)
- 1 pineapple ring (diced)
- 1/2 cup soy milk
- 1 teaspoon coconut oil
- 1 pinch cinnamon
Directions:
- Combine soy milk, coconut oil and sweet potato in a pan and simmer over low heat until tender.
- Leave to cool before either mashing or pureeing to your baby’s preferred consistency.
Spiced Pine-mango Puree
A delicious tropical puree with a lovely warming spicy sensation.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup pineapple (chopped)
- 1 cup mango (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons raisins
- 1/8 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon powder/li>
Directions:
- Soak raisins in a bowl overnight to allow them to go plump and juicy.
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
Tropical Smoothie
A delicious and easy-to-make baby smoothie.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup pineapple (chopped)
- 1 banana (peeled)
- 1/3 cup natural yogurt
- 1/8 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/8 teaspoon cinnamon powder
- 1 tablespoon of wheat germ
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
- Serve immediately.
Bonus Tip: If your baby doesn’t like the spiced flavor. Replace the cinnamon, cumin, and raisins with 3 tablespoons of coconut milk for an ultra tropical puree that simply tastes delicious.
Vegetable and Pineapple Puree
Once again, pineapple combines forces with vegetables to create an unusual yet delicious and wholesome baby meal.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup pineapple (chopped)
- 1 cup of corn kernels
- 1 cup carrot
Directions:
- Cook the corn and carrots however you desire (bake, steam etc.) until soft and tender.
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend to preferred consistency. Slowly add water to thin the mixture if needed.
Pineapple Cabbage
An unusual way to sneak your baby greens. Suitable for babies over 10 months.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 head of cabbage (sliced)
- 1/2 cup 100% pineapple juice
- 1 teaspoon olive oil
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a pot.
- Cover with lid and cook over low heat until tender.
- Puree in blender until your baby’s desired consistency is reached.
Pineapple and watermelon popsicles
A great way to beat the heat or simply soothe a teething baby.
Ingredients:
- 3 cups watermelon (chopped)
- 1/2 cup organic pineapple (chopped)
- 2 tablespoons apple juice
- 1/2 cup coconut water
Directions:
- Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree until smooth.
- Pour into popsicle molds and freeze overnight.
Do you know any homemade baby food recipes prominently featuring Pineapple? If you have a recipe or modification you would love to share, leave it below.
