Ingredients
1 large ripe whole pineapple
1 pound of BBQ pork ribs, meat removed from the bones
12 slices of sliced bacon
Directions
Special equipment: 12 long bamboo shoots
Prepare a grill for medium indirect heat: For a gas grill (with 3 or more burners), turn all burners to medium heat; After about 15 minutes, switch off one of the middle burners and turn the remaining burners onto the medium. For a charcoal grill, bench a chimney starter-full of lighted and ashed-over charcoal briquettes on one side of the grill. On the other side, place a drip tray to avoid flare. (Be sure to consult the grill manufacturer’s manual for best results.)
Slip the top and bottom of the pineapple with a sharp knife and set the pieces aside. Remove the peel from the pineapple and cut into strips. Using a peeling knife carefully hollow out the pineapple on a 3/4-inch thick peel.
Put the pineapple with the ribs. Place the upper and lower pieces back on the pineapple and secure them with 4 long bamboo mirrors.
Place a large piece of parchment on your work surface. Place 6 slices of bacon horizontally on the parchment. The edges of the panes should touch, but not overlap. With the remaining 6 discs woven, weave the bacon in an over-under pattern by lifting alternating discs of horizontal bacon and vertically placing a slice of bacon over or under as necessary to create a woven grid design. Wrap the bacon grid around the pineapple and attach it with 8 long bamboo mirrors. Cut the projecting spike tips up to 1/2 inch lengths with kitchen scissors.
Place the pineapple on the grill over the drip tray with the bacon seam down. Cover the grill and cook until the bacon is crispy and golden brown and the meat is hot in the center, about 1 hour. Transfer to a cutting board. Remove the skewers and cut the pineapple into rings for serving.
Cook’s Note
If you buy packaged bacon, the type labeled thick cut work best. If you order your bacon tailor-made at the deli counter, request 1/8-inch thick strips. If the slices are too thick, they will not give and stretch enough to wrap the pineapple.
