HOW TO PICK A FRESH PINEAPPLES:  Peak time:  March thru July.
Pineapples do NOT ripen after picking.

Pineapples oozing juice at the bottom are over ripe.  Leaves should be fresh looking and green; body should be firm; not hard as cement but not soft.
Look for yellow around the bottom half of the fruit. The top will remain green.  However, some pineapples are completely ripe while still all green.Choose the largest, plumpest one you can find. It should have a strong color and be slightly soft to the touch, with crisp, dark green leaves. Avoid pineapples that have soft or dark areas on the skin (which is a sign of over ripeness), or yellow or brown-tipped leaves. One medium pineapple will yield about three cups of chunks.

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FRESH PINEAPPLE-BANANA-STRAWBWERRY PUDDING
(use all these fruits or part or just one)
***FAMILY FAVORITE***

5.1 oz. instant vanilla pudding mix
2-3/4 c cold whole milk
1 can sweetened condensed milk (14 oz) (optional)
12 oz frozen whipped topping (Cool Whip)
1 box vanilla wafers
3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced
3 bananas, sliced
1 cup fresh pineapple tidbits

In large bowl, whisk milk and pudding mix.  Let stand for 15 min.
Fold in condensed milk and Cool Whip.
In 3 qt bowl or 9×13 pan, cover bottom w/THIN layer of pudding.
Place vanilla wafers on pudding, touching and cover entire top.
Spread with ½ of strawberries, ½ of pineapple and 1-1/2 banana sliced.
Top with one half of remaining pudding.
Repeat layer of cookies, remaining fruit and top with pudding. Crumble remaining cookies into crumbs and sprinkle on top.