Summer is one time of the year where fruits and vegetables get juiced like crazy in my home. The sweltering heat does not make me feel like sitting down for a big meal at all. I enjoy smaller meals and compensate with juices, smoothies, or slushes. Owning a vitamix has really made life easy for me. The only condition is that the fruit or vegetable has to be pretty ripe.

The way to know if your pineapple is ready is by pulling one of the top leaves. If it comes out without too much fuss then the fruit is ripe and ready. I use the pineapple in this stage for making pineapple fried rice. I love to use the hollow pineapple shell as a lovely dish to present the exotic fried rice. But for a slush, I usually wait till the leaves come off without any effort at all. The smell of the fruit must be overwhelming.

I have made pineapple slush with canned pineapples before. However; after the Vitamix arrived, I’ve absolutely stopped buying canned fruit. When I skin the fruit, the juice already starts flowing. I cut it up into bits, fill the Vitamix with enough ice and dunk the cubed fruit in it. I blend until it’s all slushed up. That’s it! All done! Slush is ready. What?! Now you are rolling your eyes?! D-UH gal, done!

Now if you’re a little naughty, you can add some gin or Vodka to it.

If you’re a little preachy and feeling green, then add some Kala Namak (black salt) and a green chili.

If you want to satisfy your sweet tooth, just add oodles of sugar. Try brown sugar or molasses too for a little twist.

Then again when you are in no mood for all of the above, then add a little lemon juice and mint! You’re all set!

This often times also ends up as a fabulous dessert for me with all that sugar.

Wishing you a happy summer! Stay cooolll!