Mezzaluna
A mezzaluna (/ˌmɛtsəˈluːnə/, Italian: [ˌmɛddzaˈluːna]) is a knife consisting of one or more curved blades with a handle on each end, which is rocked back and forth chopping the ingredients below with each movement.[1] They most commonly have a single blade, but are sometimes seen with two or three blades.[2][3][4]



It is typically used for mincing herbs or garlic, but it can be used for chopping other things such as cheese or meat.[1] Very large single blade versions are sometimes used for pizza.[5] Common uses in Italy include preparation of a soffritto or a pesto, etc.
Name
Mezzaluna means 'half moon' in Italian,[6] after the curved shape of the blade,[6] and is the most common name used in the UK. Other names used include herb chopper, hachoir, [aʃ.waʁ] (from French), and hokmesser (from Yiddish).
Cutting board
Mezzalunas may be found sold with a cutting board that has a shallow indentation in it,[1] marketed as a herb chopper.
See also
Media related to Mezzalunas at Wikimedia Commons
- Kitchen utensil
- Tumi
- Ulu
- Drawknife – a type of knife with two handles
References
- "What is a Mezzaluna?". wiseGEEK. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- McGee, Harold (26 October 2010). Keys to Good Cooking. Doubleday Canada. ISBN 9780385671309.
- Willan, Anne (17 September 1989). La Varenne Pratique: Part 4, Baking, Preserving & Desserts. BookBaby. ISBN 9780991134632.
- Hesser, Amanda (2002). "TEST KITCHEN; A Half Moon That Brightens Kitchen Labors". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
- Wiener, Scott (8 December 2012). "A Brief History of the Pizza Slicer". Serious Eats. Scott's Pizza Chronicles. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
- Schweitzer, Lisa (2 May 2011). "Kitchen Tool: Mezzaluna Picks". Food Republic. Gadget of the week. Retrieved 13 September 2013.