Pineapple Jack-O-Lanterns

by cookingwithauntjuju.com

Halloween is probably my favorite holiday – no stress with cooking or entertaining. Just decorate your house, inside and out, maybe dress in costume and of course hand out candy or other goodies to all the neighborhood children. For the past few years I give the kids small bags of goldfish and they seem to love them. I mean how much candy can they eat!

I enjoy seeing the costumes each year – some are really very creative and the little ones are always adorable. I’ve lived here 12 years so many of the kids are older now. Then there is the ritual of pumpkin carving or how about a Pineapple Jack-O-Lantern?

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I first saw this very cute idea in an issue of Food Network Magazine and then later saw this huge display of pineapples at one of my Meijer stores. So, I decided a Pineapple Jack-O-Lantern would be this years’ Halloween contribution to my blog. It would make a great centerpiece for your Halloween table or party. Plus, you get to enjoy all that wonderful fruit in a salad, alongside a nice piece of ham or even in a cake.

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I didn’t show how I used my pineapple corer so here are some pictures: It does require a little “muscle” to twist it down and pull it up. As you can see it is juicy… but you end up with perfect pineapple slices. See the crooked pineapple on the right? It’s important to use one that is straight. Then of course you cut out the core – I ended up making a hole in the bottom and pulling it out. That’s where I placed the candle.

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Pineapple Jack-O-Lanterns

  • pineapples
  • pineapple corer (makes removing the center flesh a lot easier)
  • assorted knives – I like using my bird’s beak paring knife for the face
  • tea lites, can be battery operated
  • assorted LED lights, I even used a flashing Halloween necklace
  • Fall leaves, assorted pumpkins and gourds

Slice the top off of your pineapple and set aside. If you have a pineapple corer that’s great as it makes the job of removing the inside much easier. Do this near your sink as it does get a little messy – the pineapple I used was very ripe and had a lot of juice.

Once you have removed the inside you can begin to carve the face. I used a bird’s peak knife that worked great – nothing fancy you know, at least for me. It has a curved blade and allowed me to make all of the cutouts look as good as possible. I cut downward within the eyes and mouth so the candle would be more exposed.

Recipe by cooking with aunt juju

I am linking this Halloween Pineapple Jack-O-Lantern to Fiesta Friday #142 where Angie, Elaine and Michelle are hosting this week’s party.

dsc_0035If you would like to see past Halloween goodies I have made, go to Halloween Treats. Below are a few examples:

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51 thoughts on “Pineapple Jack-O-Lanterns”

  3. What an adorable idea, and no waste! My son always loved Halloween and I’d decorate inside and out. Now I’m lazy and don’t go to the trouble. Love the goldfish idea. We all love them too.

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    • Thanks Julie – When the kids were young I went crazy with the decorations especially indoors. When we had 75 acres I did not bother with the outside, otherwise I might have scared all the wildlife LOL. I have “downsized” my holiday decorations but I still put out a few things indoors.

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  12. Judi, What a great idea! Your jacko lantern looks so cool with that crop of hair ! Love the decorations around it too- I am sure the kids in your neighborhood will enjoy this jack o lantern!

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  13. this is absolutely adorable Juju – what a nice clever idea! 🙂 btw – I have not been receiving notification of your posts for some time – WP has and still is, sadly, ‘playing up’ with a number of my readers and myself. So, please do not think I have forgotten you or your lovely Blog …..Carina

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  14. Juju-
    He is adorable! 😀. I love his one “tooth” that the flame brings!
    I might be smiling all day thinking of him! So clever!
    Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday #142!
    Michelle

    Reply

  18. Stop the presses! This should be my Jack-o-lantern from now on! And note to self – add goldfish to grocery list, so I can actually munch on them while giving them out without feeling too guilty! 😄😄

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    • You need a couple of these in your home Angie and yes Pineapple Jack O-Lanterns are certainly a great choice especially for you 🙂 I get into the candy/chocolate too much before and during Halloween. Goldfish is a much better “treat” for me and the kids do love them.

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      • I did buy goldfish and have been munching nonstop! So dangerous to have it around! At one point in my life I couldn’t live without cheez it, too. So you see how easy it is for me to get addicted to anything cheesy 😄 Btw, can you cohost this week, FF143? I still haven’t heard from either Margy or Maggie, though, so I don’t know who the other cohost will be.

      • I am going to Meijer’s this morning and get my Goldfish treats. I love them too but when they are in small packages I don’t eat so much. Yes, you can count on me this Friday 🙂

  20. This is my kind of jack-o-lantern. Much tastier than a huge pumpkin and I think more festive. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  22. How unusual Judi and oh so clever! I’ve never seen a pineapple carved before, it surely makes a welcome change from the many pumpkins you see around. All the treats are just so lovely too, I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun with the little ones at your door. Happy Halloween next week 🙂

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    • Thanks Loretta – pineapples are fun to carve and a lot easier than pumpkins! Then you get to eat all that good fruit. I always look forward to Halloween and seeing how much all the neighborhood children have grown. Except now we get carloads of kids from other areas. Trick or Treat – enjoy Halloween as well 🙂

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