Peelers and Mashers

One gadget I would not now be without in my kitchen is a peeler.  Its not just good for peeling potatoes, but carrots, parsnips, swede, apples, pears and even butternuts squash too.  There is no waste with this peeler, peeling off only the tough skin.

D often moans about some of my gadgets not being left handed person friendly like the tin opener or a manual whisk, but not this good grip peeler that peels effortlessly.  I didn't buy this.   I acquired it when I was a student still living in student accommodation.  Well that's been over 12 years now and this still works well, the blades still sharp as the day I inherited it.  

After peeling the root vegetable ( and cooking) comes the masher.  I have a number of mashers: plastic ones, metal ones and even wooden ones.  I've never liked the standard metal handle ones.  I always seem to assert too much pressure on them and they bend and the plastic ones are always a nuisance to clean.  I do however adore my vintage (or is it retro) wooden masher and use it a lot.  Sometimes to make mashed potatoes, even chickpea hummus.   

The last time I used it was for the Baked Carrot-Parsnip Quenelles.

The masher is also good for pounding cooked beans - for refried beans.  The small dark one in the middle is often used for mashing soft fruit.

How many mashers do you have in your kitchen?