Years ago, my neighbor noticed my withering fuchsia and neglected Christmas cactus. With shame, I admitted my homicidal history with plants. She said, “Grow pineapples. They thrive on neglect!” 

Lacking confidence, I bought the prickly fruit, cut off their tops, and stuck them in a little water on my windowsill.

A few days later, I planted them. After several months, the foliage expanded and filled my “garden” of sandy soil. Miraculously, one plant flowered, then produced. 

The tropics and southern states are not the only places to grow this special fruit. They can be grown almost anywhere in the world!

After many years of growing pineapples, I’ve learned to pop the crown directly in the ground after twisting it from the fruit. (Wear garden gloves!)

I wrote an informational passage used for comprehension tests in schools— “Grow Your Own Royal Fruit.” The history of the pineapple tells us it was a valuable commodity confined to the elite. (Think Charles II of England, George Washington, etc.) It was dubbed a famous Queen Pine, a princess and prince of all fruits.

Eating the pineapple is the best part of growing your own.

Sweet and sour pork is a family favorite. We also love grilled pineapple rings basted with tangy chili sauce.

Recently, a friend made a delicious coconut pineapple pie. It was a dessert my dad would slide onto a melamine tray at an old-fashioned cafeteria. Pineapple upside-down cake reminds me of my mother. 

On hot days at Disney World, a swirl of Dole Whip soft serve ice cream cools everyone down.🍦

Pineapple is a diverse food. It can be juiced, smoothied, sliced, and skewered. It’s a beverage, snack, dessert, and main course. And with patience (it takes at least eighteen months), you can easily grow your own.

I like pineapple on my pizza. How do you like your pineapple?