Pineapple rings

Evoking thoughts of warmth, happiness and tropical adventures, the sweet aromatic fragrance of pineapple rings will transport you to the sandy shores of Waikiki beach. Great as an energising snack, these little rays of sunshine are a good source of carbohydrates and B vitamins, especially B1 and B6 and will leave you feeling bright and chirpy. The fruit has a refreshing sugar-acid balance and contains bromelain, which can alleviate inflammation and swelling. Its vitamin A and E content help protect eyes from macular degeneration. When roasted, the acidity of the fruit is reduced, and its flavour becomes mellow and caramel-like. Due to its floral rose-like aroma, pineapple combines well with raspberries, lychee, tomato, rum, bananas and passion fruit. Dessert combinations incorporating the fruit include spiced roasted pineapple with coconut rum ice cream, a mango jelly with caramelised pineapple braised in rum and spices, a decadent, moist hummingbird cake with cream cheese frosting, or toffee pecans and dried pineapple. The tropical fruit livens up savoury dishes, pairing well with prawns stir-fried in a black pepper sauce, salt cod fritters, chicken, salmon, or spicy vegetable noodle dishes. The pineapple is certainly the key to breaking into the new world of cooking.