I have a recipe that calls for crushed pineapple. I have a fresh pineapple. Can I convert the fresh into crushed? If so, how? Blender?
Yes you can.
Just slice it up, then mince it up/chop it up with a knife.
Do not put in blender... it will macerate it too much.
On second thought: maybe you can try put it in a blender.. but be sure not to blend it up too much... because you still want it to be "chunky"... not blended nor turn into liquid.
Use the "chop" setting on your blender... something that will chop it roughly. Chunky.
You have to be carefull using fresh pineapple in some recipes. For instance, Jello will not gel if you use fresh pineapple. I think it may cause an issue with cakes, muffins, etc. as well in the regards that they don't bake properly. Good luck!
You are better off chopping it yourself unless you have a food processer, the blender will destory it and you will get mush--I did this last year. What a mess. It will take about 15 minutes once you have the peel and core cut off but turns out much better.
Do you have the pampered chef food chopper or anything like it?? Totally use that thing! That is how I always make my crushed pineapple!!! I know- product endorsement... but you can use anything like it also. :-)
A blender would work but I would only use the "pulse" setting if I were you and crushed pineapple in the can probably has a little extra sugar in there, so maybe add some sugar as well, unless you have a very ripe sweet pineapple
