Caramelized Pineapple, Ham and Cheese Turnovers.

Best. Appetizer. Ever.

I know, bold statement, but seriously these cute little turnovers are to die for. Sweet, cheesy, savory, buttery… just all kinds of deliciousness. I think the combo of caramelized pineapple, swiss cheese and puff pastry is just maybe the best thing ever.

SO GOOD.

Everyone, and I really mean EVERYONE, was into these. Someone even said they’d be really nice just to have around to snack on. I agree, they’re perfect for snacking, or to eat as a lite meal. I like them best as an appetizer, but all three will work.

For someone who never used to be a ham person, I’ve really gotten into it in the last year. I know that a lot of people really love ham, but growing up it was rarely ever presented to me so I just assumed I didn’t like it. That all changed last year though when I finally made my first ham (please excuse the ugly photos, ham is not a very pretty subject). I mean, whoa! So much yummy flavor. I loved it, the family loved it… we are slowly but surely becoming ham people.

Anyway, I baked a ham the other week and had so many leftovers (possibly the best part about baking a ham is the leftovers) that I decided I needed to make a fun appetizer out of them. Clearly pineapple and cheese needed to be involved, and since I’m on a puff pastry kick, well I couldn’t think of a better way to hold this all together. And that is how these cute little turnovers were made.

Honestly, these triangles are heaven. Simple, delicious heaven. I know that’s pretty dramatic, but it’s true.

Speaking of heaven, I have some extremely sad news regarding the family chickens. Sadly nine of our eleven chickens were attacked by two foxes last night and they did not make it. I never thought I could be so sad about chickens, but you guys, it’s REALLY sad. Not only that their lives are gone just like that, but dad finally had them laying eggs and doing all the right things (he was having some issues with the chickens eating the eggs and brooding). As much as the chickens grossed me out, they had become a part of the family and now they are just gone. It’s just so sad.

The two chickens left are from our original light-colored Buff Orpington chicks. They are so traumatized they will not leave their house. We are not 100% sure as to how the foxes got into the coop, but we have decided we are getting a full on house with a roof and a door that locks for them to go into at night. Then there will be no way for any predators to get them.

It’s Colorado, in the mountains, so we knew this was a possibility, BUT my dad had them in a pretty safe coop. Unfortunately it was just a super snowy night and the foxes must have climbed in and broken into the one house housing nine of the chickens. I woke up and saw them out there eating the chickens. That was not fun.

UGH. It’s still a bad picture painted in my head. Those poor little chickens. 🙁

R.I.P.

Okay, sorry for all the sadness. Let’s try to put our focus back on these Caramelized Pineapple, Ham and Cheese Turnovers.

Honestly, you guys HAVE to make these this holiday season, or really any season. Just make them! They are easy, you can even prepare them in advance and bake them just before serving. AND they are hand-held which makes eating them a breeze. Trust me on this, you guys really have to make these.

Plus, they’re cute, and we all know that cute food is always fun and yummy!

Oh and I almost forget to tell you, there are also caramelized onions. YESSS. Life is complete!

P.S. Christmas Eve is in just ONE week. WHOA. Time to start planning your appetizers.