Give Your Grapefruit Spoon A Second Life As A Strawberry Huller

When the seasonal cleaning itch sets in, useless kitchen items are some of the first things to go. But we're here to plead the case for those grapefruit spoons you found in the back of a drawer. Though their name offers a clue as to their very specialized use, these serrated scoopers are actually a versatile tool that deserves a second chance.

The small but mighty utensil is perfect for hulling strawberries. Its pointed tip allows you to quickly cut into the tops of fruit and carve out the woody interior and attached leaves. Though a paring knife will also get the job done, we like how easy it is to maneuver the metal handle without the risk of nicking a finger.

The citrus carver offers a happy middle ground between knife and spoon, which means it's well-equipped to tackle other kitchen prep tasks. Scraping, sectioning, and shaving just got easier. Who knows, maybe you'll discover a love of grapefruit, too.

Summer strawberries aren't the only fruit that benefit from the grapefruit spoon's sharp edges. You can use the metal item to clean out seeds and the white pith inside bell peppers. The curved shape neatly separates an avocado from its skin — though you can also use a grapefruit knife for smarter avocado scooping. Fans of tart fruit can scoop halved kiwis from their furry peels with the same twist of the utensil.

Later in the year, the spoon remains ready to tackle tedious tasks. Though the silver tool can't slice through a winter squash's tough flesh like a strawberry's, it makes quick work of a butternut's stringy interior and seeds. We're happy to say this culinary hack works just as well on summer melons like cantaloupe and honeydew.

For those new to the bittersweet citrus, don't overlook the silverware's original purpose. Snap up a red or white-fleshed grapefruit to practice carving bites. Do so by halving the fruit with a knife, then slicing along the edges and rind of each section with the serrated spoon's edge. Once a section is free, effortlessly lift and eat it.

Now that you've hulled strawberries, fallen in love with grapefruit, and prepped melon, you're set to make an amazing fruit salad. You can prepare homemade whipped cream and grapefruit curd to layer onto your produce. Or, use store-bought ingredients to elevate your fresh fruit with tangy lemon (or grapefruit) curd whipped cream.

The multifunctional tool can also help add the finishing touch to a fresh dessert. Firmly drag the spoon's jagged edges over a bar of chocolate to shave off strips. Dust the curls of chocolate over prepared dishes for an extra touch of elegance.

If you prefer to drink your fruit, hulled strawberries add sweetness to the famous grapefruit cocktail, the Paloma. Muddle the fruit or cook it into a syrup before combining it with grapefruit juice, soda water, and tequila. Or, for an alcohol-free sipper, use the grapefruit spoon not only to hull strawberries but to peel a knob of ginger for a zingy smoothie.