There are kitchen tools meant to be unitaskers, and that’s totally okay! Take a potato masher, for instance. It mashes, and that’s about it. (Okay, once in a while, it probably gets stuck in your utensil drawer and creates a problem to solve, too.) But can you imagine not having something to mash with? Exactly.
Then there are the tools you think are unitaskers but aren’t, like a microplane zester. The word “zest” implies it is designed to zest lemons and other citrus fruits, which is correct. But it’s actually much more than that. In fact, Ree Drummond once called it “indispensable” and implored her readers, “If you don’t have a microplane zester, please treat yourself to one at the earliest possible convenience.”
Thankfully, you can find one right at Walmart. The Pioneer Woman Stainless Steel Zester features durable stainless steel construction for sharp, precise grating, plus a comfortable (and charming) olivewood handle for easy grip. Oh, and it’s worth mentioning that it’s under $10.
Let’s dive into why Ree thinks it’s such an important kitchen tool. “These zesters (they actually began as wood planers for carpenters!) are indispensable, as they can neatly scrape all the zest off an orange, and grate nutmeg and chocolate like there’s no tomorrow,” she explained. And that’s not all! You can grate fresh ginger, garlic cloves, and parmesan cheese, too.
It’s beginning to sound like a multitasker, isn’t it? That’s because it truly is! And here’s her trick if you’ve never used one before: “If you use a microplane zester, remember: run the zester, upside down, over the lemon—not the other way around.” Also, hold the zester with the sharp side facing down. That way, you can see the amount of zest coming off the fruit and avoid the white pith.
“If you haven’t yet treated yourself to a microplane…there’s really nothing like it,” Ree further added. With proper care (which means handwashing), it will last for years. The design from The Pioneer Woman is meant to go with what you already have in your kitchen, or mix and match it with the other multitaskers in the line. You can find a few of those below.
Shop More Useful Tools from Ree’s Line
The Pioneer Woman Olivewood Salt Cellar
The Pioneer Woman Cast Aluminum Meat Tenderizer
