A mezzaluna (/ˌmɛtsəˈluːnə/ MET-sə-LOO-nə, 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]
Mezzalunas may be found sold with a cutting board that has a shallow indentation in it,[1] marketed as a herb chopper.
Etymology
Mezzaluna means literally 'half moon' or 'crescent' in Italian, after the curved shape of the blade,[5] and is the most common name used in the UK. Other names used include "herb chopper", hachoir (from French, pronounced [aʃwaʁ]), makhratah (from Arabic مخرطة),[6] and hakmesser (from Yiddish האַקמעסער).[citation needed]
Use
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.[7] Common uses in Italy include preparation of a soffritto or a pesto, etc. In countries like Egypt, Jordan and Palestine, it is used to chop mulukhiyah.[6]
See also
Media related to mezzalunas at Wikimedia Commons
- List of food preparation utensils
- Pizza cutter
- Tumi – any of several sharp tool Central Andean cultures
- Ulu – traditional knife of Inuit, Yupik and Aleut women
- Drawknife – a type of knife with two handles
References
- ^ a b c "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.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Hesser, Amanda (2002). "TEST KITCHEN; A Half Moon That Brightens Kitchen Labors". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 9 February 2018.
- ^ Schweitzer, Lisa (2 May 2011). "Kitchen Tool: Mezzaluna Picks". Food Republic. Gadget of the week. Retrieved 13 September 2013.
- ^ a b Humaid, Maram (20 April 2023). "Molokhia: Gaza's fragrant, savoury Ramadan 'lucky charm'". Al Jazeera English. Retrieved 11 September 2025.
- ^ Wiener, Scott (8 December 2012). "A Brief History of the Pizza Slicer". Serious Eats. Scott's Pizza Chronicles. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
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