What the Food?

scoopcombined

ES reader Tommy writes in with a request:

I found the following “Scoop” in an old farmhouse kitchen. Obviously some kind of kitchen gadget, I can’t find anyone who knows what it is. One person suggested it is a soft boiled egg scoop. Can you or your bloggers help identify it?

Does the fact that I have no idea what it does, but feel an urgent need to own one mean that I have a problem? So, what say you, ES experts? How should Tommy use this ancient gadget?

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9 comments

  • Amelia of Gradually Greener July 14, 2009  

    It looks like it would be used to scoop something that was very viscous, like gelato. Or lard! Something where using a regular scoop would fail to un-stick the scooped portion from what was around it.

  • Summer July 14, 2009  

    It’s hard to tell what it could be used for without any reference to show how big it is. Nonetheless, I’m going to guess “brain scoop.” Mmm, brains….

  • Tommy July 14, 2009  

    About 5 inches long, wooden handle, “scoop,” about the size of a tablespoon, but thicker, with the two cut-outs. All edges are blunt; looks likt the scoop is spot welded to handle bracked which is press fitted to handle.

  • JoeHoya July 14, 2009  

    Sounds like a job for Cook’s Illustrated! Send it in – maybe you’ll even get one of those line-drawings with your answer!

  • Meepers July 14, 2009  

    A tool for shaping quenelles?

  • MonkeyBoy July 14, 2009  

    It’s obviously multi-purpose. Must be a melon baller, shot-caller, brawler.

  • Vanessa July 14, 2009  

    I think it looks like the tool used to take the bone out of prosciutto… nowadays it is done with a long, curved tool with a knife-like handle, but I think I remember something like that from my grandpa’s toolbox…

  • Vanessa July 15, 2009  

    I think it looks like the tool used to take the bone out of prosciutto… nowadays it is done with a long, curved tool with a knife-like handle, but I think I remember something like that from my grandpa’s toolbox…
    OH! You’re my new favorite blogger fyi

  • salsasis14 June 9, 2011  

    I just came across this post and, if you’re still wondering, you can write in to Cooks Illustrated. Every issue has some random gadget someone found and an explanation of what the cooks there believe it to be.

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