Use pineapples to make edible palm trees.
For an event with a tropical theme, a palm tree centerpiece can be the finishing touch on the table and in the room's decor. Because of their natural colors and textures, pineapples lend themselves well to the the structure of a palm tree; by using the fruit to construct the centerpiece, you can put a creative, whimsical spin on the theme. After the event, you can use the fruit as leftovers, reducing the amount of waste and making the decorations more eco-friendly than a paper or plastic centerpieces.
Instructions
1. Make the base of the centerpiece. Buy two dowels with diameters of one to two inches. On the end of each dowel, mark a spot about a half inch from the end on one side. Use an electric saw or handsaw to cut a wedge on an angle from your mark on one side to the bottom edge of the other side; this will create a slight angle for each palm tree. Cut the other end of the dowel to the height of each palm tree. Nail the two dowels to a heavy wooden base that will be strong enough to support the weight of the pineapples.
2. Prepare three to five pineapples for each palm tree, depending on the desired height. Cut the top off each pineapple. Using a long knife, cut out the core of each pineapple, leaving a hole that runs through the entire fruit from top to bottom.
3. Slide the pineapples over the dowels to create the trunks of the two palm trees. If you want a smoother seam between pineapples, you may need to slice off more of the top and bottom of each fruit to allow them to fit together. Cut the top pineapple so that a two-inch section of the dowel shows.
4. Attach palm fronds to the top of each dowel to create the top of the palm tree. Use clear tape, staples or glue to secure the fronds to the wood, working in layers. Arrange the fronds so they spill out over the pineapple stem in a realistic fashion, cutting the bases where necessary to create the desired effect.
5. Place the pineapple palm trees on the table and finish the centerpiece. For a dramatic, edible piece, pile fruits around the base of the trees, using boxes or platters to create levels and serve as a spot for plates of food. You can also line the base with tropical flowers or green leaves to complete the jungle look.
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