How To Carve Pineapples Into an Alligator For Your Next Summer Party

If you're a fan of our show, you're probably familiar with our resident watermelon-carving queen and Senior Culinary Producer, Jeanette Donnarumma. 

Jeanette has pretty much mastered the art of carving a watermelon. Over the years, she's turned the delicious summer fruit into everything from a T-Rex centerpiece to a watermelon keg (perfect for serving her Watermelon Aperol Spritz Cocktail)!

Since she's demonstrated so many kinds of edible watermelon art, Jeanette decided to switch it up this year and make it a PINEAPPLE palooza instead.

She's showing us how to make a pineapple alligator centerpiece, which will be the perfect addition to any table you set this summer.

RELATED: How To Pick the Perfect Pineapple

STEP 1: Cut the top off the pineapple and set it aside (you'll need it later!)

STEP 2: Halve the pineapple, cutting around the core.

STEP 3: Score each pineapple half in a cross-hatch pattern, cutting into the flesh.

STEP 4: Cut around the scored pieces so they separate from the skin, forming little bowls or shells. Repeat steps 1-4 until you have 5 shells to make the body of your alligator.

(Pro Tip: You can also cut a pineapple like this and use the bowls to hold the pineapple pieces or even to serve ice cream, Jeanette says.)

STEP 5: Cut the crown off of a new pineapple and set it aside. Cut a triangle out of the front to use for the alligator's head.

STEP 6: Cut the tops off of two radishes and use toothpicks to attach to the head as eyes. You can also arrange slices of lime or kiwi around the body for the legs.

STEP 7: Fill a colorful bowl with berries or fruit salad and place the extra pineapple crowns on top. Arrange around your alligator centerpiece to make edible "swamp trees."

Scatter the chopped pineapple around the alligator as well, and voila — a super fun and edible centerpiece for your summer party table!

Want more pineapple? Check out Jeanette's recipe for 2-Ingredient Piña Colada Ice Cream.