Tropical Pineapple Paradise (Printable Version)

Pineapple half arranged with colorful tropical fruits and shredded coconut for a fresh, vibrant treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Fruit Centerpiece

01 - 1 large ripe pineapple, halved vertically, core trimmed, flesh scored for easy serving

→ Tropical Fruits

02 - 2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
03 - 1 mango, peeled and sliced
04 - 1 papaya, peeled, seeded, and sliced
05 - 1 small dragon fruit, peeled and sliced
06 - 1 cup strawberries, hulled and halved
07 - 1 cup seedless grapes, halved
08 - ½ cup blueberries
09 - ½ cup raspberries
10 - ½ cup pomegranate arils

→ Garnish

11 - ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
12 - Fresh mint leaves

# Directions:

01 - Place the pineapple half, cut side up, at the center of a large serving platter. Score the flesh with a paring knife in a crosshatch pattern, keeping the skin and leaves intact for presentation.
02 - Fan the mango, papaya, and dragon fruit slices outward from the pineapple, alternating colors to enhance visual appeal.
03 - Distribute kiwi slices, strawberries, grapes, blueberries, raspberries, and pomegranate arils around the pineapple, filling gaps to create a balanced, vibrant display.
04 - Sprinkle shredded coconut evenly over the arranged fruits for texture and tropical flavor.
05 - Garnish the platter with fresh mint leaves to add color and fragrance.
06 - Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that takes just 25 minutes to prepare, making you look like a culinary genius without the stress
  • Every bite tastes like a tropical vacation, with the natural sweetness of ripe fruit needing nothing but itself
  • It's naturally vegan and gluten-free, so you're not leaving anyone out of the celebration
  • The edible pineapple bowl means your centerpiece is also the main event
02 -
  • Prep everything as close to serving time as possible. Fresh-cut fruit oxidizes and loses its vibrant colors if it sits too long, and half the magic of this platter is that visual brilliance.
  • Make sure your pineapple is truly ripe—if it's even slightly underripe, it won't have that natural sweetness that makes this platter sing without any added sugar or dressing.
  • The crosshatch scoring on the pineapple flesh is more important than you might think. It's not just pretty—it actually makes the fruit easier to eat and shows people they can dig right in.
03 -
  • Score the pineapple flesh in one direction, then perpendicular, but don't go all the way through the skin—you want it to look intentional and elegant, not carved up
  • If raspberries aren't available, substitute blackberries or even freeze-dried raspberry powder sprinkled over other fruits for that pop of deep color
  • Chill your serving platter in the refrigerator for 15 minutes before arranging—cold surfaces keep everything fresher longer and the fruit won't weep as quickly
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