Pineapple Guava: Kitchen Basics

Grow pineapples in tropical or near-tropical gardens. Pineapples can grow indoors if it is warm and there is plenty of light. The pineapple plant is short and stout. It grows 2 ½ to 5 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide at maturity. It has strap-like leaves that are serrated with needle tips. The oval to cylindrical-shaped pineapple fruit is actually many small fruits fused together. The pineapple is a compound fruit. The stem of the pineapple elongates at flowering time. A small he

Grow guava in your garden. Guava is a tropical and subtropical plant. Guava is native to Southern Mexico. In the United States, it is grown mostly in Florida, Hawaii, Southern California, and parts of Texas. With protection, it can be grown in USDA Zones 8b and 9. Guava is round to pear-shaped fruit commonly 2 to 3 inches long. Guava can be green, yellow, red, purple, or black-skinned. The flesh can be white, yellow, coral, or red. Ripe guava has sweet, moist flesh that is high

Selecting Strawberries Choose bright red, fresh and clean strawberries with a sweet scent. Choose berries with green caps still attached. Choose containers that are clean and in good condition. Make sure that the berries are not soft or moldy. It is better to buy smaller containers so that the strawberries are not crushed by the weight of the berries on top. Storing Strawberries Strawberries do not continue to ripen after harvest. Store in the refrigerator, unwashed,

Getting Ready to Preserve Peaches Choose ripe, mature fruit of ideal quality for eating fresh or cooking. Dip fruit in boiling water for 30 to 60 seconds until skins loosen. Dip quickly in cold water and slip skins off. Cut in half, remove pits and slice, if desired. To prevent darkening, keep peeled fruit in ascorbic acid solution of 1 teaspoon or 3000 milligrams ascorbic acid or vitamin C per gallon of water, or use a commercial ascorbic acid mixture according to dir