Pineapple is the common name for a tropical plant and edible fruit which is a multiple fruit consisting of coalesces berries. The word pineapple derives from the scientific term, ananas, or tupi, which means excellent fruit. The English word was recorded in 1398 and originally describes the reproductive organs of the conifer trees (pine cones.)
The pineapple is native to southern Brazil and Paraguay where wild relatives occur. It was spread by the Indians up through South and Central America to the West Indies before Columbus arrived. In 1493 Columbus found the fruit on the island of Guadaloupe and carried it back to Spain and it was spread around the world on sailing ships that carried it for protection against scurvy. The Spanish introduced it into the Philippines and may have taken it to Hawaii and Guam early in the 16th Century. The pineapple reached England in 1660 and began to be grown in greenhouses for its fruit around 1720.
They are successfully grown in southern Florida and coastal areas of southern California. The small plant adapts well to container and greenhouse culture and makes an interesting potted plant. The plant will flower after 24 months and produce fruit during the following six months. The popularity of pineapples is due to it swee-sour taste. Raw pineapple is an excellent source of manganese and vitamin C. From its stem, pineapple contains an enzyme, bromelain, which breaks down protein. In the Philippines, the pineapple leaves are used as a source of a textile fiber called pina and can be used in a variety of ways such as a wall paper and componet of furnishings. Both the root and fruit may be eaten or applied topically as an anti-inflammatory agent. In some practices, it may be used to induce abortion or menstruation, and has been known to decrease the severity of colonic inflammation in mice with experimental colitis.
chicken pineapple spread
2 large cans chunk chicken
1/2 cup crushed pineapples
3 scallions, chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
tablespoon mayo
Drain chicken and mix with all ingredients. Serve with crackers or bread.
I also prepared the same ingredients with tuna instead of chicken chunks.
hawaiian pizza
Margarita loves this pizza, so I have been creating same to satisfy her cravings.
pizza dough
pizza sauce
crushed pineapples
diced ham
provolone cheese
Prepare dough as directed, with hot water, knead and let stand for a couple of hours in slightly oiled bowl. Spread dough on pizza stone and apply pizza sauce with spoon or ladle. Top with ham, pineapples and cheese. Sprinkle a dash of oregano and bake in oven at 425 for 20 minutes.
ready to bake
ready to eat
I promised Wayne-O I would make his all-time favorite soup on this gloomy and rainy day, so here is my mom's recipe for Red Soup.
virgie's red soup
2 large cans stewed tomatoes
1 batch of scallions, chopped
2 peppers, chopped
(today I used my assortment of baby peppers ~ red, orange and yellow)
1 chunk of beef boullion
1 large can of water
1 package shell noodles
This recipe is easy peasy. Just dump both cans of tomatoes into a pot and rinse them out with water, but put that water into the pot (waste not, want not.) Add scallions and peppers, beef boullion and simmer a few hours. Prepare noodles, drain and rinse to stop them from getting soft. This is important: add shell pasta to the broth before serving, but try to eat it that day, otherwise, the juice soaks into the pasta and you will not have much soup, just noodles.
Dan and Darcy visited her folks in St. Louis and her mom gave us this pretty stone. Thanks, Julie! They visited the Cathedral Basilica St. Louis so I thought to share how remarkably beautiful it is. Perhaps when the time comes, they will have their wedding there!
detailed artistry
indoors
outdoors
remarkable, isn't it?
Love the one you're with. xo
