Pineapple Jack-O'-Lantern

Prepare the Pineapple Base (5 minutes): Lay the pineapple horizontally on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, carefully slice off the top 1 1/2 inches, preserving the leafy crown. Set the top aside; this will be the 'lid' of your Jack-O'-Lantern.

Core and Slice the Pineapple (10 minutes): Stand the pineapple upright, exposing the flesh. Center a pineapple corer-slicer over the core. Apply gentle downward pressure while twisting the handle clockwise. Continue until you reach the bottom, being careful not to pierce through the skin. If you do not have a pineapple corer, you can use a knife to cut around the inside of the pineapple, leaving about an inch of the pineapple attached to the outside. Then, cut the core out of the middle, and cut the remaining pineapple into smaller pieces.

Extract the Slices and Juice (5 minutes): Gently pull up on the corer-slicer handle to remove the spiral of sliced pineapple. Carefully transfer the slices to a serving platter. Pour any accumulated juice from the pineapple cavity into a glass or container for later use – it's fantastic in smoothies or cocktails!

Remove the Core (5 minutes): Using a paper towel for a firm grip, reach into the pineapple and grasp the remaining core. Twist slightly to detach it from the bottom. Discard the core.

Prepare the Candle Base (2 minutes): Use a large spoon to scrape away any remaining pineapple flesh from the bottom of the cavity. Create a smooth, level surface for the tea light candle to sit securely.

Carve the Jack-O'-Lantern Face (10 minutes): Using a small, flexible paring knife, carefully carve out the classic Jack-O'-Lantern features – eyes, nose, and a grinning mouth. Get creative with your design!

Chill and Illuminate (5 minutes): Replace the leafy pineapple top. Refrigerate the carved pineapple until ready to display. Just before serving, place a lit tea light candle inside the pineapple cavity and extinguish the room lights to reveal your glowing Pineapple Jack-O'-Lantern!