Supporters of a healthy diet are already in anticipation of tasty and healthy natural summer foods, among which fresh cabbage is one of the leading places. However, massive heads of cabbage can be difficult to manage; many dishes require a thin shredder. To make the cut look smooth and accurate, it is important to buy the right knife for this purpose. It can be either a universal classic kitchen knife, or a special tool for shredding.
Which to choose?
The main feature of a knife suitable for slicing a head of cabbage is its sharpness. The blade should be wide and regular shape. It must be carefully ground before work. There must be a ledge under the handle. In fact, if the kitchen has such a versatile knife, then it is quite suitable for shredding this vegetable, but, for example, a bread knife will not cope with the task.
Other tools also turn out to be useful for cutting a head: a grater or a special ax for cutting. We will get acquainted with such devices in more detail in the next section.
Varieties
The simplest solution for fine shredding cabbage is to use a grater. A wooden or plastic board has built-in blades that grind the product. It is recommended to chop the cabbage into several parts, which will be conveniently squeezed in the palm of your hand, and only then rub each lobe. From cabbage long and thin slices are obtained.
It is more convenient to purchase graters equipped with an additional container for collecting grated vegetables.
Another way to shred - multifunctional food processor. This is a fairly productive option for accurate, quick and easy cutting of vegetables, but the device is not cheap, and therefore some housewives get out of the situation in this way: when chopping cabbage leaves, they use rotating bread slicers or vegetable peelers.
Another popular product is metal hatchet for cabbage. This is a specialized attribute, however, judging by user reviews, it is not too convenient and quite heavy for young housewives. It will take some time to get used to working with this subject.
After acquiring dexterity, the work of slicing cabbage is significantly facilitated and accelerated.
Specially for fast and accurate slicing of a head of cabbage are on sale now. knives with two blades. In appearance, they also resemble hatchets, on the blade of which there are 2 sharp holes used for cutting. This attribute also seems uncomfortable at first. The forks should be gripped with the entire palm, and not with one finger, the hand should be slightly tilted forward so that the upper part of the device comes into contact with it. The advantage of this instance is not only simplicity and comfort when working with cabbage, but also safety.
When using a special knife with two blades, injury and scratches are almost eliminated.
As for manufacturers, judging by customer reviews, one of the best is the model "The hostess." Users note that this is quite convenient equipment, it is easy to work with it, it significantly speeds up the cutting process. Also, housewives choose devices from manufacturers Dexam and Peterhof.
Another kind of knife deserves special attention - a universal tool Frico FRU-044. It is a device with 3 knives, one of which is provided for the classic cutting of products, and the second is made of a file for cutting cabbage heads. The intermediate blade serves to chop cabbage with the same narrow straws, and can also be used to cut fruit slices when decorating confectionery. In addition, the knife is equipped with a key to open the lids and plugs.
The manufacturer indicates that the device is suitable for shredding cabbage, slicing and cleaning fish, cutting bones, easy slicing pineapples.
Advantages and disadvantages
When using a special knife for a shredder, the housewives note the following advantages of his work.
- Thinly cabbage can be cut more quickly than with a conventional knife. In addition, the hostess does not have to make special efforts.
- This is a safer option to prevent injuries.
- Unlike, for example, a combine, a special device does not take up much space in the kitchen.
- Easy to clean.
- It can be used for other products.
Perhaps, only the cost of a knife is worth highlighting from the disadvantages. In general, it is small, but higher than the price of a standard knife. However, taking into account the fact that a knife not intended for shredding may soon become dull, become unusable when working with cabbage and therefore requires frequent replacement, the purchase of a special tool is more profitable than the annual replacement of a conventional knife.
Terms of use
When working with a knife, you need to learn how to hold the device correctly. You should wrap his palm in such a way so that the index finger rests on the handle, the thumb on the side, and the remaining fingers are on the bottom. During operation, the tip should move forward and backward, without rising from a flat surface.
When using a special hatchet with built-in blades - namely this option is most often chosen for cutting cabbage - first you need to cut the forks into two halves and move the device forward and down, bringing the hatchet over the product. The advantage of such slicing is the result in the form of narrow small slices. Even if desired, large elements of the housewife using such an instrument will not work.
Shredding the product is recommended across the fiber to reduce juice loss, which, as you know, is required for salting.
Any knife used to shred cabbage, in fact, is universal, and it is quite suitable for chopping other vegetables or fruits.
About how to use a cabbage knife, you can learn further.
