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]

Mezzaluna with a single blade

Mezzaluna with a double blade used for chopping herbs

Mezzaluna with a triple blade used for cutting meat

Name

Mezzaluna means 'half moon' in Italian,^[5] 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, [aʃ.waʁ] (from French), makhratah (from Arabic), and hokmesser (from Yiddish).^{[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.^[6] Common uses in Italy include preparation of a soffritto or a pesto, etc. In countries like Egypt, Jordan,Israel and Palestine, it is used to chop mulukhiyah.^{[citation needed]}

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