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Pineapple Cowboy Candy

A tropical twist on traditional cowboy candy using fresh pineapple, creating a sweet-heat syrup that enhances any dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Course: Condiment, Snack
Cuisine: American, Tropical
Calories: 150
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main Ingredients
  • 1 medium fresh pineapple, peeled, cored, and diced Pick a ripe pineapple for best flavor.
  • 1.5 cups granulated sugar
  • 0.75 cups apple cider vinegar
  • 1.5 teaspoons red pepper flakes Adjust to taste.
  • 0.5 teaspoon ground ginger
Optional Add-Ons
  • fresh mint leaves for garnish
  • a pinch of cinnamon or allspice
  • chopped nuts for crunch

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Peel the pineapple completely and remove the core. Cut the fruit into bite-sized chunks.
Build the Syrup
  1. In a medium saucepan, combine granulated sugar, apple cider vinegar, red pepper flakes, and ground ginger.
  2. Stir the mixture until the sugar starts dissolving, and place over medium heat until it gently boils.
Add the Pineapple
  1. Carefully add the diced pineapple to the syrup and stir gently.
  2. Reduce heat to low and let it simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Cook Until Thickened
  1. Continue to simmer the mixture on low heat after adding pineapple, stirring occasionally.
  2. Aim for the syrup to coat the back of a spoon, and the pineapple should appear slightly translucent.
Cool, Jar, and Wait
  1. Remove the saucepan from heat and let the mixture cool for about 30 minutes.
  2. Transfer the pineapple and syrup to sterilized jars, seal tightly and refrigerate for 24 hours before tasting.

Notes

Taste syrup before adding pineapple to adjust sugar/vinegar as needed. Allow flavors to develop by resting for a full 24 hours.