Singapore: Pineapple tarts ~ rolling writes

Monday, June 13, 2011

Singapore: Pineapple tarts

Pineapple tarts are synonymous with Chinese New Year. During the festive season, pineapple tarts are everywhere to be seen, it will be difficult not to see it! While it is not exactly considered a "Singaporean" kind of food, it is very popular among Singaporeans. Pineapple is also known as onglai, which means prosperity. (Mark my words, these prosperity will show on your tummy if you eat too many pineapple tarts!)

There are many kinds of pineapple tarts. There are those where the pineapple jam is laid on a flaky tart, others where the pineapple jam is hidden inside the buttery goodness. There is the tart, the roll, the ball, and possibly other combinations.

I spent 2011's Chinese New Year in Boston, trying my hands at making some pineapple tarts (while trying to get some heat from the oven for some winter relief). Oh boy, these are some artery-clogging snacks. I did it twice, once myself, and once with my good friend in Urbana-Champaign. The pineapple tarts were gone in no time, and the best thing is that, this buttery snack is rather fool-proof.

Making the pineapple tarts isn't as difficult as some people (i.e. my mum) make it out to be. In fact, the pineapple jam is rather easy to make! Just get a can of pineapples and then send it to the grinder. If you are really particular, you can get the full pineapple instead. Click here for recipe.