Attack of the Fruit-cupine!!!!

The Family Birthday Party.  A Johnson staple.  About every month, we throw a little bash for everyone who had a birthday that month.  It can be for one person, it could be for 4-5, all depends on the time of year.  We've got to feed on average 16-20 people each time, so we farm out food assignemnts to everyone.  This time, my job was an fruit appetizer.  Wanted to do something more than just a fruit bowl and thought about doing something that the kids would think is awesome. We needed something large so I created this....

BEHOLD the FRUIT-CUPINE!!!

It's a porcupine made out of fruit.  Yes... it's big.  For reference, I have a big head.  I wear an 8 1/8 size baseball cap.  It's like an orange on a toothpick.  It's got it's own weather systems!  Things go wrong and I cry myself to sleep on my huuuuuuge pillah....

So in reference, you can see how large this piece can get.  This came from an idea from an appetizer Liz made.  She took half a pineapple and stuck large toothpicks covered in fruit all over it like a pin cushion.  I just made it a little larger and added the face, because kids think it's cute.

And the best part is that you can have your kids help build it.  Give them a few skewers and bowls of fruit and let them go to town.  The portions and suggestions of fruit are approximate, except you must have at least 2 pineapples to make the body and still have some to serve to guests.  And you can use any type of fruit you want.  The ones listed are just what I like and what I had available this season.

The Fruit-cupine

Serves 16-20 as an appetizer

2 large pineapples

2 lbs grapes

4+ pounds strawberries

1 lb blackberries
30-40 10-12 inch wood/bamboo skewers

Slice the top off of one pineapple at least 2 inches down at a slight angle to create the head. Set aside the remaining pineapple to cube later.   Slice down through the second pineapple just outside of the core.  Lay the body of the pineapple on a large serving tray, cut side down.  Then set the top of the first pineapple in front of the body to create the head and slide it into the cavity of the body.  Use either whole fruits or slices of fruit to make the features of the face, like sliced grapes for the eyes,  the tip of a strawberry for the nose, a half slice of pineapple for the mouth, etc..  When adding the faical features, hold the fruit in place, press the toothpick through the fruit and into the pineapple behind.  To hide the toothpick, use the flat edge of a knife to press the tip in so it is flush with the fruit's skin.

Prepare the fruit, such as washing everything, topping the strawberries, cubing the pineapple, etc. Take the skewers and add fruit in any order you wish, leaving about 2-3 inches at the end of each skewer.  Then stick the skewers into the pineapple body far enough so they will stay rigid and not bend.  Continue to add skewers until the body is completely covered.  Lay thre remaining fruit on the tray around the body for decoration and snacking.

So the next time you have to bring a creation to the party, bring life to your own Fruit-cupine and watch the people's reactions.