Description
Pineapple Cowboy Candy is a sweet and spicy homemade preserve combining fresh pineapple with a flavorful blend of cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and red chili flakes. Perfect as a tangy condiment or a delicious addition to cheese boards, sandwiches, and grilled meats.
Ingredients
Scale
Pineapple Candy Ingredients
- 1 medium-sized fresh pineapple (peeled, cored, and cut into small cubes)
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1 cup water
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon ground cloves
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 tablespoon red chili flakes (adjust to taste)
- 3-4 whole cloves (optional, for added spice)
- ¼ cup pineapple juice (freshly squeezed for the best flavor)
Instructions
- Prepare Pineapple: Peel, core, and cut your pineapple into small cubes as the primary fresh ingredient that forms the base of the cowboy candy.
- Make the Spiced Syrup: In a medium saucepan, combine sugar, apple cider vinegar, water, cinnamon, ground cloves, ground ginger, and red chili flakes. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, then reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 10 minutes to meld the flavors and dissolve the sugar.
- Cook Pineapple in Syrup: Stir the cubed pineapple into the simmering syrup and continue to cook for 10-15 minutes until the pineapple softens and absorbs the spicy-sweet syrup.
- Cool the Mixture: Remove the saucepan from heat and allow the Pineapple Cowboy Candy to cool to room temperature. During cooling, the syrup thickens to the perfect consistency.
- Store Properly: Transfer the cooled cowboy candy into an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to allow flavors to develop fully before serving.
Notes
- Adjust red chili flakes depending on your spice preference for a milder or hotter cowboy candy.
- Use fresh pineapple juice for the best flavor; canned juice may alter the taste.
- Store refrigerated for up to 2 weeks in an airtight container.
- This preserve is excellent on crackers, burgers, or grilled meats for a sweet-spicy kick.
