Unveiling the hidden potential of your kitchen's vegetable peeler

You probably use it most often for peeling potatoes, carrots or cucumbers. A vegetable peeler is much more convenient than a traditional knife because it only removes a thin layer of the skin, preventing unnecessary food waste. The design of this tool is integral to its function, with two specific elements worthy of your attention.

A small change in technique when peeling vegetables can save you significant time for other kitchen tasks. You may have been misusing your vegetable peeler all this while. After applying the blade to the cucumber, did you pull the blade in one direction and then remove the peeler to return to the starting position? Yes, that's not the best method. Despite this technique being passed down generations, there's a more efficient way to peel vegetables.

A vegetable peeler has two blades, indicating that it works in two directions. Rather than removing the tool from the vegetable skin after the first pull, try pulling it in the opposite direction. This simple action can make the process more efficient, giving the vegetable peeler a new function you were unaware of. Give this method a try during your next cooking session. After a few minutes of practice, you'll peel potatoes like a professional.

Now, hold your vegetable peeler and examine its design. Besides the two blades and handle, another unassuming feature often goes unnoticed despite being literally in front of your eyes. This is the small spike on the side of the vegetable peeler, which may look decorative but serves a useful purpose in meal preparation.

This little spike proves handy when peeling fruits and vegetables with thick skin, like citrus fruits. Instead of forcing your nails into the fruit's flesh, use this small projection to puncture the skin and get to the inner part of the fruit. Depending on the design of your peeler, this spike is always next to the twin blades.

Many people have found another use for this feature, especially when peeling potatoes. Peeling often leaves behind black spots in the flesh that need to be removed. This spike is perfect for digging out these blemishes. It turns out that a vegetable peeler has more uses than you initially thought, and it's worth utilising every single one in your kitchen.