Did you know that back in the 1700s, a single pineapple would have cost you over Rs 6 lakh? Thankfully, in the 21st century, you don't have to pawn your house to get a taste of this luscious fruit. Pineapple, despite its regal past, doesn't get enough credit. Without it, the world wouldn't have had , upside-down cake, Hawaiian burgers, cherry-cheese-pineapple skewers and pineapple sheera. To celebrate this yummy fruit, every year on June 27th the world observes International Pineapple Day.

Sweet and tangy, the fruit is incredibly versatile, pairing well with sweet, salty and spices dishes. While it is commonly called a fruit, pineapple is, in fact, a cluster of fruitlets. This nutritious fruit is rich in vitamin C and contains the anti-inflammatory enzyme bromelain. Another awesome fact about this fruit is that it's called "ananas" in 42 different languages, including Marathi and Hindi. It's called pineapple or piña in 10.

It's also a controversial fruit on the internet ever since it made its debut on a pizza. The world is forever divided between the ones who love pineapple on pizza and those who don't. Wherever you stand on this issue, you can't deny that pineapple is an iconic fruit. Today is International Pineapple Day. In honour of this amazing fruit, we have compiled a list of pineapple recipes that you got to try out.

1.

Wait, did you read that right? Absolutely. Before you accuse us of desecrating another classic with pineapple, don't knock it until you try it. This exciting recipe combines the refreshing and warm taste of the tropical fruit with a heady, spicy mix of chaat masala, cumin, chilli powder and fresh herbs. Crisp puris stuffed with a masaledar potato mix are topped with a sweet-and-spicy pineapple pani. Add chunks of pineapple to give you bursts of flavour. If pineapple doesn't interest you, you could try guava, orange or kiwi pani puri.

2.

What is upside down, has pineapple in it and is gluten-free? This vrat-special cake by Ritika Gupta is made of buckwheat flour and has the same incredible taste as the classic recipe. This healthy cake has a yummy, caramel crow with rings of golden pineapple studded with ruby red cherries. Vrat or not, it's a great dessert option for those setting out on a gluten-free lifestyle.

3.

There's nothing healthier than starting your day with a fresh fruit smoothie. They are full of flavour and give you a boost of vitamins and fibre in the morning. They are also incredibly energising, fuelling you up for the day. This combines the goodness of pineapples with the luscious taste of coconut milk, honey, kiwi and pomegranate.

4.

How can we forget this classic on International Pineapple Day? This fruit cocktail was first created in San Juan, Puerto Rico at the Caribe Hilton in 1954. From there, this delicious drink took over the world. The name Pina Colada means "strained pineapple" from the juicing process of the fruits. Flush with tropical flavours, pina colada combines warm and caramel notes of pineapple, coconut and rum. In this recipe, we held back the rum and added a healthy twist with the addition of bananas. Serve it as a healthy smoothie or spike it with your favourite rum to stay faithful to the original recipe.

5. Pineapple Sooji Halwa

Closer home, we have traditional pineapple preparations that can rival any international dishes. Take this luscious Pineapple Sooji Halwa for instance. This is a popular breakfast recipe in India which also doubles as a dessert. Also known as pineapple sheera and pineapple kesari, this dish is flavoured with ghee and saffron. It can be served piping hot or cold. Try this incredibly easy recipe today.