The different kinds of pineapple salad include dessert, side and main dish versions. Canned or fresh pineapple can usually be used interchangeably for the salads. A stunning way of presenting salads made with the fresh fruit when entertaining is in half of a hollowed-out, lengthwise-cut pineapple. While most pineapple salads are chilled before serving, one popular type is baked in the oven and served hot.
In this type of hot pineapple salad, chunks or slices of the fruit are placed in a baking dish. Flour is then mixed with a little white or brown sugar and sprinkled over the pineapple. Grated cheese forms the third layer of this hot salad, while crushed cracker crumbs are used as the fourth and final one. The only remaining ingredient is chilled pieces of butter, which are added to the top of the pineapple salad before baking at a moderate oven temperature until the dish is bubbly.
Fruit salads made with pineapple often contain other tropical fruits such as bananas and mangoes. Many different kinds of fruits can work well in a pineapple salad, such as apples, oranges, grapes and strawberries. Pineapple salad made with other fruit may be served as a dessert topped with whipped cream or ice cream. A sweet dessert dressing such as one with honey and cinnamon may be used on a fruit salad made with pineapple. Rather than serve a pineapple fruit salad as a dessert, some cooks like to substitute it as a side salad with casserole dishes or macaroni and cheese.
Cooked macaroni may also be mixed with pineapple and other ingredients such as mayonnaise, pepper and sliced celery to make a hearty salad. This type of pineapple salad is usually served chilled as a side dish at a barbecue or other casual meal. One way of preparing a pineapple side salad is to mix chunks of the fruit into coleslaw for a refreshing, tropical take on this shredded cabbage classic. Another type of popular side salad made with pineapple includes shredded carrots and raisins. These ingredients are simply placed together in a bowl with some pineapple juice added for moisture and chilled before serving.
Grated carrots and other ingredients may also be combined with pineapple in a gelatin salad. Main dish pineapple salads are often combined with cooked meet such as chicken or fish. Nuts as well as coconut may be added to a main dish pineapple salad and the seasonings may be rich or even spicy. Pepper, soy sauce, curry and chili powder are just some of the flavorings that may be added to pineapple main dish salads, depending on their other ingredients.