Caramelized Baby Pineapple with Coconut Sorbet & Coconut-Curry Cookies + Giveaway!

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South African baby pineapples, also known as Queen Victoria, boast a gorgeous prominent golden color which immediately caught my eye at the market the other day. I couldn’t resist buying a few. Not only they are fragrant and sweet with a bold, rich flavor but get this – the inside is entirely edible, so no need to remove the core. Groovy, isn’t it?

When you come across a fruit that’s already perfect it’s almost a crime to mess with it too much. On the other hand, i would feel equally guilty to write a post about sliced pineapple. I don’t want you, my dear readers, to ask for a refund on this post. What do you mean it’s free!?.. Really?..err .. nevermind, then. Anyway i decided to build great flavor into the fresh pineapple without too much extra fuss. I’m a big fan of caramelized pineapple, so much in fact that i often serve a composed dessert that consist of caramelized pineapple with a flourless walnut cake and a rum sabayon at dinner parties. While it’s a great dessert it’s still a bit too much for these baby pineapples. Simple is all you want sometimes.

The perfect counter-balance to the exotic aroma and deep caramel tones is a simple, refreshing coconut sorbet. It goes well with the tropical theme of our story and it’s a match made for the Gods but wait, there’s more…

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The extra mile of oomph comes from the coconut-curry cookies from my friend Laurent who founded The Flat Turtle, a cookie company based in New York that offers delicious gourmet cookies for the adult palette. They pride themselves in the fact they prepare your cookies from the best ingredients – only when they get the order – never before. Those coconut-curry were buttery and crumbly just like the best French sablés should be. The expert combination of curry and coconut in the cookies hits all the right notes and makes the perfect addition to this dessert. So don’t forget to check them out on Etsy for more interesting flavors like chocolate-coriander and lemon-thyme cookies.

“Is he gonna shut up, yet? What about the giveaway?”

No, no, i didn’t forget! The Flat Turtle has generously offered to send a tasting box (like on the picture above) to a lucky reader of this blog. Yes, that means you! All you have to to is leave a comment below. Eaaasy! A winner will be picked at random. You have until Sunday, February 7th at midnight (eastern time) to enter.

Let’s go!

  • Caramelized Baby Pineapple with Coconut Sorbet

    caramelized-pineapple-8

  • serves 4
    • Caramelized Baby Pineapple:
    • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
    • 1/2 cup sugar
    • 4 Queen Victoria pineapples, or 1 ripe pineapple
    • Coconut Sorbet:
    • 2 cups coconut milk
    • 1/2 cup milk
    • 1/2 cup heavy cream
    • 1 tablespoon sugar
    • 1/2 cup sugar (for simple syrup)
    • 1/2 cup water (for simple syrup)
    • 1/3 cup Malibu Rum
    • Caramelized Baby Pineapple:
    • If using Queen Victoria pineapples, cut them in half, carve the inside with a small knife and scoop it out with a large spoon. Cut in large chunks and reserve the skin/top part for serving. If using a regular pineapple, remove the skin and the core and cut into 8 wedges.
    • Heat the butter in a large saute pan over high heat until foamy. Add the sugar and cook until deep golden brown. Add the pineapple and cook, making sure to roll it in the caramel so it gets caramelized evenly. The whole process takes 10-15 minutes depending on the size. When the pineapple is glazed and a beautiful amber color transfer to a plate with a slotted spoon.
    • Serve with coconut sorbet and coconut-curry sorbet.
    • Coconut Sorbet:
    • To make the simple syrup, combine the sugar and water and bring to a boil. Boil until slightly thickened, about 6 minutes. Cool completely.
    • Stir the coconut milk, milk, cream and the tablespoon of sugar in a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat and place in a bowl on top of ice to cool rapidly. Stir 1/3 cup simple syrup + rum. When completely cold, transfer to an ice cream machine. Reserve the coconut sorbet in the freezer.
    • caramelized-pineapple-3
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  • Gina

    this recipe looks delicious!

  • http://www.honeyfromrock.blogspot.com Claudia

    Caramelizing is a good process for when you have too much, super ripe pineapple. Or, actually, any pineapple. I really like the sound of those cookies too.

  • http://www.kitchentravels.com Dawn (KitchenTravels)

    Found your site via TasteSpotting – and so happy I did! This dessert looks simply (pun intended) amazing. I’ve never seen these baby pineapples before…wonder if I can find them on the West coast? Thanks for the giveaway!

  • Randy in CA

    The pineapple, sorbet, and cookies together look sooo good.

  • Susan

    Baby pineapples? Where do I find these?

  • SLS

    Drooling, my absolute favorite flavors/ textures.

  • http://www.cupcakeproject.com Stef

    Loved all the parts of this post. I’ve never heard of those pineapples before. I’d love to try one! That sorbet is going into my bookmarked recipes and the cookies sound amazing! This post was definitely worth more than the cost of admission.

  • Marti

    Coconut curry cookies? Definitely count me in! I love to try new things.

    And those are the cutest baby pineapples above!

  • Dani H

    Fabulous recipes, gorgeous photographs, and delicious giveaway! Thanks so much for a chance.

  • http://jeanniereeves.com Jeannie Reeves

    Oh yum… I love all pineapple… and caramelized is the best.. you dont have to do anything to it either..

  • http://www.socalsustenance.blogspot.com Laura

    My oh my I should NOT be allowed to look at food blogs with photos that delicious before breakfast! Fantastic site with amazing images, I will have to browse to see if you’ve shared your obvious photo know-how anywhere, I hope you have! Enjoy your day and thanks for a yummy post and giveaway

  • JD

    Interesting creation!

  • http://kitchen-em.blogspot.com Kitchen M

    What a cool and exotic dessert combination! I actually recongize the name of your friend’s cookie. She left some comments on my blog before and I have been curious about her cookies. I’d love to try a bite!

  • http://giseleperez.typepad.com/painperdu/2009/11/my-new-orleans.html Gisele

    And where does one find these baby pineapples?

  • http://girlcookinparis.blogspot.com diane A

    Great dessert; enjoyed your post…and guess what, I learned something new today – I didn’t know you didn’t need to core the Queen Victoria! Thanks for the info! Hope I get to try those cookies someday!

  • http://Foodbuzz Regina Shugarts

    I make desserts for a living, so I’m always looking for something fresh & exciting. This will definitely make an impression at my next Asian/Caribbean inspired dinner special! Thank you so much…

  • http://yummy2tummy.wordpress.com Zara

    Would love to be the random winner :)

  • zenchef

    Gisele, Susan — Baby pineapple can be ordered through Melissa’s. http://www.melissas.com/Products/Products/South-African-Baby-Pineapples.aspx

  • http://apricosa.blogspot.com Erica S.

    This looks absolutely delicious…I love the beautiful photos, and I am inspired to try this!

  • http://www.mattikaarts.com/blog matt

    that is the sexiest darn pineapple recipe I have ever seen.

  • Mia

    This looks fabulous!

  • http://www.vinolucistyle.com Barbara @ VinoLuciStyle

    I love pineapple upside down cake because of the caramelized pineapple topping…so why have I NEVER thought to just caramelize pineapple without the bother of cake? Looks delicious and beautiful photo.

  • http://lunaskitchenmagic.blogspot.com Luna

    So sexy, so sweet, so enchanting…and the desserts not bad either! lol, Zen you always make the food look so delicious. let me win those cookies!

  • Fiona

    Sounds delicious!

  • http://thepastrychefathome.blogspot.com/ Erika from The Pastry Chef At Home

    Those baby pineapples are almost too cute to eat! I said almost….

  • Daniel

    My kind of dessert. Those cookies look phenomenal, too.

  • http://voodoolily.blogspot.com Heather

    I wanted to comment even if there was no giveaway, just so you know. I’ve been curious about those bebbeh pineapples.

    can never resist a cute fruit either, but it’s always nice when they actually taste good!

  • Lisar

    Wow, this looks awesome! Next time I see them at the market, I’ll have to try this.

  • http://kissmyspatula.com/ my spatula

    pineapple with an edible core? oh, yes please. i love all things coconut too. gorgeous!

  • http://baconandrhubarb.blogspot.com Rachel (S[d]OC)

    Very delicious looking. I can see doing this one for my pineapple-loving husband sometime soon.

    I’m going to keep an eye out for those pineapples!

  • http://www.cookeatfret.com claudia @ ceF

    i want cookies

  • http://www.gracenotesnyc.com Grace

    I LOVE those pineapples! They’re so cute AND they’re delicious (especially when they’re dehydrated!)

  • Susan Hosterman

    I am looking for the perfect chocolate and would love to try the turtle. I am a definite foodie and a sweets eater but not so much chocolate. That is why I am looking for the ultimate chocolate.

  • Arcan3

    Not Really Fond of coconut but this looks Fawesome! I got to try this one for friends.. (yes the F is intentional)

  • Aleeda

    Lovely! This looks like a recipe I love to make during the summer: Grilled Pineapple with a Rum Glaze and Coconut Sorbet. I’ll have to try your version!

  • http://ourprivatekitchen.wordpress.com Sara

    Oh my! That looks A-mazing!! Too bad I can’t eat the computer screen.

  • http://itsnotyouitsbrie.com Its Not You, it’s Brie

    Time to pour a glass of the Southwestern French Gros Manseng dessert wine again!

  • http://aapplemint.com Kate/Kajal

    The baby pineapples are so adorable, n the sorbet looks absolutely divine. Great combination of flavours. So wish i could get a taste of it right now !

  • http://www.domino-design.nl Andrew

    Just leave me on an Island with only caramelized baby pineapples and coconutsorbets (and some Malibu ofcourse) and don’t forget to send the cookies…:-D

  • carol

    What a nice giveaway, thanks for the chance to win.

  • Renee G

    The pineapples are adorable. And what could be better than cookies.
    rsgrandinetti@yahoo(dot)com

  • scottsgal

    Looks absolutely delicious!

  • http://bexbakes.wordpress.com/ Rebecca

    wow that looks amazing! Don’t mind if I drool on the keyboard

  • susan

    oh the coconut sorbet looks great too, and the cookies looks delish!

  • JaneR

    looks fabulous!

  • http://www.onceachef.com Pete

    The whole dish looks fantastic, but that caramelized pineapple looks absolutely amazing.

  • http://theluckyladybug-giveaways.blogspot.com/ Cheryl F. {The Lucky Ladybug}

    Everything looks mouth-watering :) *Thanks* for the giveaway!

  • Jennifer

    Looks fantastic!

  • http://colloquialcooking.com Colloquial Cook

    -M’sieur, m’sieur!
    -Oui petit fenouil? [sigh]
    -Chpeux jouer?
    -Non, c’est trop tard, et en plus j’avais bien dit que c’était des gâteaux pour les grands. Hop.

  • http://www.redhatsociety.com Jayne

    YUM! Looks great!