A knife for shredding cabbage can be in the form of a hatchet with two blades, a multifunctional Roma knife type, or a vegetable peeler. These devices significantly speed up the process of cutting vegetables, but it would be more practical to use specific shredders - a box grater, mechanical and manual; you can also use attachments for a food processor.
The tools are characterized by a long service life, ease of maintenance, and simple rules of use. Their cost ranges from 130 to 1,500 rubles, which depends on the specific model chosen (who produces it, whether it is a knife or a shredder, what material the blade is made of, and other factors).
What kind of cabbage shredding knife is there, its characteristics
A shredding knife must meet three requirements:
- be as sharp as possible;
- have a wide blade;
- There must be a protrusion/limiter under the handle.
In principle, if you have a regular knife in the kitchen that meets the listed requirements, then it can be used for cutting cabbage. But there are also special tools for this process, which make the work of a cook and housewife much easier.
We recommend reading the article about the best switchblades. From it you will learn about the main characteristics of switchblades, their types, and handmade switchblades. And here is more information about throwing knives.
With two blades
Knives with two blades resemble a hatchet in appearance, but their blade has two elongated holes. The steel is sharply ground, which makes shredding cabbage convenient - the “output” is thin strips of the vegetable of approximately the same size.
Most often, such a tool has a plastic handle, but sometimes the manufacturer makes the knife entirely from steel. The second option is not very practical to use because the metal handle quickly becomes slippery.
The most important feature of a double-bladed cabbage shredding knife is its safety. If you use the tool correctly, then getting any injuries (scratches, cuts, chopped/puncture wounds) is practically impossible.
Vegetable peeler
A peeler is a special knife that is used for peeling vegetables (potatoes, carrots, zucchini, etc.), but it can also act as a vegetable cutter. It is a structure made of a plastic handle and a thin blade about 9 cm long, which is inserted into a spear extending from the handle of the tool.
This vegetable cutter significantly reduces the time of shredding even a large head of cabbage and is suitable for working with different types of vegetables - regular white cabbage, red cabbage, Peking cabbage. The blades are made of stainless steel, so the peeler can be washed in hot water and using detergents/cleaners.
Cabbage and lettuce peeler
The vegetable peeler is easy to use, does not require any specific skills to operate, and allows you to chop cabbage for borscht, salads, and filling for baked goods or dumplings.
Rus 70504
The cabbage shredding model Rus 70504 is a classic knife with two blades, but with individual characteristics:
- produced in Germany by the famous manufacturer ROSENBERG;
- length and height of the tool – 280 and 15 mm, respectively;
- Blade width – 80 mm.
Cabbage shredding knife Rus 70504
The knife handle is made of plastic, the blade is made of stainless steel. Interestingly, the handle is located at an angle in relation to the wide blade - it is slightly raised. This makes the job much easier, because the cook will put much less effort into shredding the cabbage and will be able to process a large volume of the vegetable.
Knife Roma
A tool that is a universal device due to the presence of a sharp blade, a hole with a shredder edge, and a serrated blade is called a Roma knife. It is especially popular among housewives because it has the following properties:
- an ordinary knife - sharp, but it is convenient to cut off only narrow pieces of food;
- shredding device - a hole in the blade allows you to quickly process a large head of cabbage;
- fish cleaning tool - a serrator can easily remove even the smallest scales.
Knife “Roma”
In addition, next to the handle there is a bottle opener, and the blade with a smooth sharpening is equipped with a sharp tip protruding forward (it will be convenient for cutting, for example, a clove of garlic).
These knives are made of stainless steel, the handle is hollow, and there is a small loop at the end - you can store the tool in a suspended state. The disadvantage of the Roma knife is that it is impossible to carry out long-term work shredding cabbage - its weight is very light, you have to make an effort, so your hand gets tired very quickly.
Best models
Kitchen Aid 5KFP1644
pros
- Sharp knives
- Three bowls of different volumes, like nesting dolls, fit into one another and do not take up much space
- compact;
- there is a visual control of the thickness of the slice;
- cutting into cubes.
Minuses
- Doesn't whip well
From 46900 ₽
Power 650 W, working bowl volume 4 l, 2 speeds, pulse mode, average cost 54 thousand rubles, weight 13.6 kg. Aid 5KFP1644E is considered the most complete and productive unit in the Artisan range.
The processing process can involve 3 bowls with different capacities, which ensure a continuous processing process. Three pushers of different diameters help push the ingredients to the auger.
A disk with a specially grooved blade will ensure cutting pieces of a certain thickness within 1-6 mm, and adjustments can be made even while the unit is operating. For cutting into cubes there is a set of a disk and a mesh with 8x8 mm cells - a unique device for vegetables and fruits or cutting cheese into original salads. You can crush chocolate and even ice. Users speak positively about its capabilities and performance, but complain about its heavy weight.
Bosch MCM 4000
pros
- powerful unit;
- attachments are stored compactly in the stand;
- compact size;
- stable during operation.
Minuses
- thin plastic bowl.
From 5999 ₽
The combine model is distinguished by German pedantry to the smallest details, smooth speed control, and a pulse mode. The bowl capacity of the Bosch MCM 4000 is made of translucent plastic and holds up to 2.3 liters. This is enough to make about 1 kilogram of minced meat.
Users consider the advantages to be power, versatility, protection against unauthorized launch, and all attachments can be conveniently stored directly in the stand.
Moulinex DJ9058
pros
- very unusual design;
- convenient storage of components;
- quick cutting without scattering food;
- you can substitute any container;
- uniformity of cutting;
- ease of disassembly/assembly;
- easy to wash.
Minuses
- Sometimes there are stuck pieces in the mesh or grater.
From 9656 ₽
A multi-cutter with a power of 280 W, equipped with five attachments for various applications, 2 speeds, which are controlled automatically, the average cost is 7.7 thousand rubles. DJ9058 is a unique French quality, enclosed in an elegant, ergonomic body, which means not only the use of attachments, but also their storage using small magnets.
Using replaceable cassettes, you can cut food into cubes or uniform strips, which is so necessary when preparing sauerkraut for the winter. The power of the device allows you to quickly prepare any salads, which is very helpful when friends suddenly come to visit.
Braun Identity Collection FP 5150
pros
- elegantly cuts and chops vegetables and fruits;
- The set includes two plastic disc blades with replaceable metal inserts;
- The thickness of the shredder is adjustable;
- The cutting inserts are very sharp.
Minuses
- fragile plastic bowls.
From 15640 ₽
A multifunctional harvester with a power of 0.8 kW has an average price of 15 thousand rubles. Until the working part is sufficiently fixed, the device does not begin to function - this is done for the safety of users. The kit includes a variety of attachments, you can use a grater or shredder, and there is a citrus juicer.
Perfectly sharpened knives, smooth speed switching and a wide range of modes make this equipment indispensable for working in the kitchen. With such an assistant, any housewife will quickly cope with the daily preparation of any dishes. In the rating among analogues, the FX 3030 model received 9.9 points out of 10 possible.
Philips Viva Collection HR 7520
pros
- large ingredient supply chamber;
- large bowl volume;
- The kit includes an attachment for kneading dough;
- fast and efficient grinding;
- citrus juicer.
Minuses
- not detected
From 8999 ₽
The new food processor with vegetable cutter is recognized by experts as the best among analogues at an average cost of 9 thousand rubles and functionality. The product includes a 1.5 l bowl, a blender with a plastic transparent body with a capacity of 1 l, and a juicer that can prepare fresh juice from citrus fruits. The 850 W electric motor allows for maximum productivity in food processing.
How to choose a knife for cutting cabbage, their advantages and disadvantages
When choosing a knife for cutting cabbage, you need to take into account the following nuances:
- blade width is the best option 90 mm, but 80 will be convenient to use;
- sharpness of the blades – if we are talking about a knife with two blades, then sharpening them yourself will be quite difficult;
- what material is the handle made of? It’s better if it’s plastic, which will prevent it from slipping in the palm of your hand while working;
- is there a protrusion with a pointed tip at the end of the blade - this adds convenience to work;
- whether there is a limiter between the handle of the knife and its blade - this ensures the safety of the process.
The advantages of using a special knife for shredding cabbage are:
- speed of cutting vegetables;
- simple care, can be washed in hot water with detergent and in the dishwasher;
- absolute safety during operation;
- can be used for cutting any other food products;
- compactness, unlike a food processor.
The only drawback of such a tool that consumers highlight is its cost. No, it is not prohibitively high, but it is larger than that of an ordinary/standard kitchen knife.
Types of vegetable cutters for cabbage
Using a shredder will help you save time and effort. The device is a knife with a comfortable handle, on which several blades are attached at an angle. The series of blades are designed in such a way that the juice is retained in the vegetables when cutting. In this section we will talk about the type of shredding devices.
Household electric shredder
An electric shredder is most often used in large vegetable warehouses, where it is necessary to chop a large number of vegetables in a short time. This device is designed for rapid processing of solid products. Inside the shredder there is a disc-shaped knife made of durable stainless steel. You can adjust the cutting thickness by changing the location of the blades
In addition, when using an electric vegetable cutter, the amount of waste is significantly reduced, which is important
household electric shredder
Manual shredder
A manual cabbage cutter is an excellent alternative to an electric device.
If you are looking for a shredder for your home, we recommend that you pay attention to this model. All products are equipped with a cutting board and a special chute, which is made of environmentally friendly plastic
The shredder also has several blades, the height of which can be changed. The manual mechanism perfectly chops both cabbage and many other vegetables and fruits. It is easy to care for: you just need to rinse it with warm water after use and keep the blades sharp.
manual shredder
Shredder with box
Another convenient option for home use is a vegetable cutter for cabbage with a wooden box. It consists of a wooden body with blades inside. The cutting board and box are made from durable wood. In this shredder you can also adjust the height of the blades. The device is very convenient, as it does not slip on the surface and does not require much effort.
shredder with box
Mechanical shredder
A mechanical shredder is often used to chop cabbage and other vegetables. It is an attachment to a meat grinder, which is made of plastic or metal. To chop the cabbage, you just need to rotate the device by the handle and turn the grater around its axis. Most often, the set contains several graters with holes of different sizes.
mechanical shredder
A manual cabbage shredder is a worthy alternative to a knife
A manual cabbage shredder is a design whose operating principle is reminiscent of a conventional meat grinder from the times of the USSR. It is equipped with a gutter made of food-grade plastic. A cutting board completes the package.
A manual shredder has several blades and a special mechanism that allows you to adjust their height. This makes it possible to shred cabbage into strips of different sizes, both in width and length.
Watch the video about manual shredding for cabbage:
Harvester attachment
The food processor comes with a special attachment for shredding cabbage. It is a circle with sides, inside of which there are two sharp blades. It is possible to independently adjust the distance between the blades and thereby obtain shredded vegetables of different thicknesses at the output.
This attachment not only makes the housewife’s work easier, but also makes the shredding process safe. It is made of stainless steel, so for cleaning you can simply rinse the nozzle with warm water and dry it. The device can be useful for shredding other vegetables - carrots, beets, as well as fruits such as apples - you will get slices (thin slices).
Attachment from a combine for shredding cabbage
Vegetable cutter for cabbage with box
It is a wooden body with blades on the surface. They can be adjusted, and already shredded cabbage comes out into the box and does not scatter all over the table. The vegetable cutter with a box is practical and easy to use - it does not slip on the work surface and does not require much effort.
The device is made of hard wood, coated with a special solution - its service life is long, the surface does not crack. Caring for the vegetable cutter is standard: it can be washed with warm water and detergent. Be sure to thoroughly dry the instrument before storing it.
Mechanical shredder
For ordinary manual meat grinders, there are special attachments on sale in the form of a partial cone with blades on the surface. They are made of stainless steel and can be presented in a large assortment - the size and shape of the holes varies.
To use, the attachment is placed on the meat grinder; while twisting the handle, you need to turn the cone around its axis with your free hand. Consumers note that such a device is inconvenient to use, and therefore is only suitable for processing small volumes of vegetables.
How to cook delicious borscht from fresh and young cabbage
Cook the broth on the chicken back. For a medium saucepan (3 liters) one is enough. Cook the washed part of the chicken for about 30 minutes in salted water. You can make the broth right before preparing the borscht. Making borscht dressing. Grind the beets and carrots on a coarse grater, finely chop the onions. Fry the onions and carrots in a small amount of vegetable oil in a frying pan, and prepare the borscht dressing itself in a saucepan. Place a teaspoon of vegetable seasoning, carrots and beets into the prepared bowl. Mix everything and simmer over low heat with the addition of 50-100 ml of water. After 10 minutes, add tomato paste, a coffee spoon of salt, black pepper and paprika to the total mass. Mix everything and continue to simmer for another ten minutes. Remove the chicken back from the boiling broth. Cut cabbage, onion, dill, pepper and garlic into small pieces.
Add to the broth. Add the dressing from onions, beets, carrots and tomato paste from the saucepan to the pan. Separate the meat from the chicken back, take out all the bones, also remove the skin, cut into cubes and add it to the broth. Pour the chopped potatoes into the broth. After 15-20 minutes, the borscht is ready, try the borscht before turning it off - the potatoes should be easily pierced with a knife, and the cabbage should be cooked, but not overcooked.
Finally, a few tips:
- To save time, you can pre-boil the beets the day before.
- If the cabbage is very young, it should be added 5-10 minutes before the end of cooking so that it does not become too boiled.
Recipe No. 2. Borscht made from fresh young cabbage with tender meat
There is nothing tastier than borscht made from early cabbage with young vegetables. And if you add tender meat of a young goat to this combination, the effect will be simply amazing. The dish will be very tasty and not particularly high in calories.
For early cabbage borscht you will need:
- half a head of cabbage;
- new potatoes – 2 pcs.;
- fresh young beets – 1 pc.;
- red and yellow cherry;
- carrots – 1 pc.;
- bay leaf – 1 pc.;
- salt – 1 tsp;
- red pepper;
- ready-made meat broth – 2.5 l;
- stewed meat of a young goat.
A simple and quick way to prepare borscht:
We will cook this borscht using ready-made meat broth. It can be prepared from pork, ribs, chicken.
Wash and peel the cabbage. Remove the stalk and cut the vegetable into strips.
Remove the skins from the potatoes. Peel the carrots. Rinse the vegetables with water.
Chop the carrots on a large metal grater. Finely chop the tomatoes using a sharp knife.
Peel the beets. Wash it and cut it into strips.
Place a pan of water on the stove and turn on the gas. Place carrots, tomatoes and beets in cold water. Taste for salt and add salt if necessary. Using a knife, cut the potatoes into even, long strips. Leave in the water while the rest of the vegetables cook.
Cook the vegetables for about 20 minutes over low heat, after boiling. Add the potatoes and cook the borscht for another 20 minutes. Add young cabbage in 10 minutes; it cooks quickly. 5 minutes before the end of cooking, add pepper and bay leaf.
Cover the saucepan with a lid and finish cooking the borscht with spices. Let it brew for half an hour and serve. Pots are perfect for serving borscht. You can sprinkle freshly chopped herbs on top of the borscht.
Cook young goat meat in a deep frying pan. To do this, cut part of the carcass into small pieces. Simmer them in a small amount of water under a closed lid for thirty to forty minutes. Seasonings and salt are not necessary for the young goat; the juicy meat will be tasty on its own. Pieces of meat can be placed in pots or served separately. It is also delicious to serve young garlic, onion feathers or garlic dumplings with borscht.
How to cut cabbage with a special knife
When cutting cabbage with a special knife, you need to comply with the following rules:
- Take the knife in your hand so that the index finger is on the handle, the thumb is on the side, and all the rest are on the bottom.
- The blade, during the shredding process, should move back and forth without leaving the surface of the cabbage.
- You need to chop the vegetable strictly across the grain to prevent too much oozing.
- For convenience, before starting the process, cabbage forks should be cut into two parts. If it's too big, then by four.
- Each time after finishing slicing the cabbage along a plane, you need to tear the knife off the surface of the head of cabbage, bring it in again and repeat the movements back and forth, “sliding” down.
Watch the video on how to use a special cabbage knife:
Following these recommendations, it is impossible to cut the vegetable into large pieces.
Which grater is better to buy
Each dish requires a certain form of cutting, so the presence of several edges or attachments on the grater is not only welcome, but extremely necessary. Still, you shouldn’t overpay for completely unnecessary devices.
It’s good if the vegetable cutter does not take up much space when stored and has special compartments for storing attachments so that you don’t have to look for them throughout the kitchen.
A high-quality grater cannot have dents, scratches, and even less signs of corrosion. Plastic parts should not emit an unpleasant odor and be thick enough for the shredder or grater to last for many years.
How to use a cabbage shredder
A manual cabbage shredder (wooden grater with a box or plastic) should be used as follows:
- Cut the cabbage into 2-4 pieces depending on its size. First, the top layer of leaves is removed from it.
- Wipe the shredder with a cloth soaked in a strong saline solution - this will disinfect the surface.
- Take the grater in your left hand and rest it comfortably on the work surface. You can use a large basin, but in this case the shredder rests on the bottom-side transition.
- Take a fragment of a head of cabbage in your right hand and make smooth movements from top to bottom. There is no need to exert much effort; sudden jerks are unacceptable.
How much does a shredder cost?
Price is another important aspect that should be taken into account when choosing a shredder. Naturally, it may vary depending on the region in which you live. Don't forget that the price must correspond to the quality.
The simplest models, which are a grater with blades for shredding, can be purchased for 200-400 rubles. The price of mechanical shredders for home starts from 1,500 rubles
Please note that models made from natural materials are more expensive. However, they are characterized by a long service life and high quality. The price range for electric vegetable cutters is extremely wide.
The simplest model costs around 5,000 rubles. However, depending on the quality of the product and its performance, the price may increase and reach 90,000 rubles.
How to sharpen a cabbage knife
You can sharpen a knife for chopping cabbage with a diamond-coated file or sandpaper with minimal abrasiveness (“zero”). First, the blade is sharpened from the outside - the one that faces directly to the cabbage. In this case, the file is located parallel to the main blade of the knife. And to remove metal dust and burrs, you need to treat the blade from the inside with fine abrasive sandpaper.
If you need to sharpen a knife with two blades, then they can be rotated on the blade into a convenient position (as a rule, they are attached with rivets). First you will need to unscrew/disassemble the handle of the tool, then unfold the blades and sharpen them. The knife is assembled in reverse order.
Features of choosing a knife
To finely chop cabbage leaves and other vegetables, there are a large number of special kitchen equipment. This procedure can be performed with any knife, but it can cause a lot of inconvenience. A knife for grinding cabbage leaves can help you cut ingredients without much difficulty.
It is necessary to realize that the emergence of a product special for these purposes is possible due to evolutionary development over a long period of time. Products of various types are available today; they can also be used to grind products.
Chopping knives must meet the following requirements:
- have increased blade sharpness;
- have a fairly wide cutting blade;
- There must be a protrusion under the handle that serves as a limiter.
If the kitchen equipment meets the listed requirements, they can easily cut food and cabbage leaves without fear of causing injury. There are also devices and tools for this process that can greatly facilitate the technology of preparing your favorite dishes.
Shredding cabbage with a cabbage shredder will be easy if the cutting tool is of excellent quality. Therefore, when purchasing kitchen equipment, it is recommended to pay attention to this parameter.
This is due to the fact that during the summer period of operation the knife experiences a significant load, so its parameters should be as follows:
- the blade of the knife should not have rust, chips or dents;
- straight blade made of high quality steel;
- sliding handle.
Users have differing opinions regarding what weight a product should have. Professional chefs say that a high-quality knife should have significant weight. However, in this case, your hand will quickly get tired when cutting vegetables.
An alternative option in the form of vegetable shredders is made from the following materials:
- tree;
- stainless steel;
- plastic;
- plywood.
Each product has its own special features. For example, in the case of making kitchen tools from waterproof plywood, it is permissible to buy the device without fear that it will become deformed, since moisture resistance guarantees its protection from waterlogging and drying out. Knives, as a rule, in this version are made of stainless steel, and plywood is made of beech. The material for the equipment is very comfortable and durable.
A widely popular model for home use is a grinding knife with two blades. The advantage of the product is its strength and ease of use. You can also find varieties with fasteners for cabbage heads, which guarantees chopping safety and performance. The advantage of a knife for grinding cabbage leaves is durability and lightness.
The most durable option is considered to be a stainless steel shredder, since the material is resistant to corrosion, does not deform or crack. The 2-blade stainless steel unit is an option that allows you to process large volumes of food, especially if you need to chop a huge volume of heads of cabbage. The modern model is considered to be knives made of plastic.
However, over time it cracks, which makes this material vulnerable. Despite the shortcomings, you can find decent products made from high-quality plastic that will last quite a long time. When buying a knife for chopping cabbage leaves, many housewives pay attention to its quality and price.
This is due to the fact that with the huge volume of production of treats for future use, the reliability and sharpness of the blade, as well as the convenience of the knife, are the most important factors. Before purchasing the necessary cutting device with 2 blades made of stainless steel, you need to pay attention to how convenient the product is.
Such a knife must have the following parameters:
- the product should not be very small and not overly huge, and the blade material should be stainless steel;
- the vegetable strips will come out fairly even when shredded if the knife blade is thinner and sharper;
- ergonomic handle that allows you to make movements without much effort.
How to chop a vegetable with a regular knife, how to hold it
Even if there is no special knife in your kitchen arsenal, you can use a regular one and chop the vegetable as follows:
- Take the tool in your hands so that only your index finger is on top of the handle, and all the rest are below.
- Cut the head of cabbage into 2 parts, remove the stalk.
- Cut the cabbage lengthwise into strips 3-4 cm wide each.
- Chop each of the resulting strips into thin “noodles”.
This method is not safe; you need to carefully monitor the position of your free hand - it holds the cabbage fork, but the fingers are slightly bent to prevent injury to the fingers.
Why shred cabbage
Beautifully shredded cabbage looks appetizing on a plate.
Every home cook has his or her favorite ways to chop cabbage forks to prepare different dishes. Some people cut it into pieces, thick slices (for example, for cabbage soup, borscht, salting in “layers”). But often it is necessary to finely chop the vegetable. By the way, professional chefs advise cutting forks into translucent slices, and for good reason. Thinly cut cabbage looks more aesthetically pleasing in salads and preparations (salted, pickled), it also cooks faster, and when fresh, thin pieces are easier to chew, which is especially important for children and the elderly.
Advantages and disadvantages
Special knives designed for chopping cabbage leaves are characterized by both positive and negative sides. Before purchasing a cutting device, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with all its features.
Advantages | Flaws |
· Cutting cabbage into thin strips is much faster, as opposed to using a regular knife. This does not require much effort. · It is the safest option, which eliminates the possibility of injury. · A knife for chopping cabbage leaves, unlike an electric food processor, takes up little space in the kitchen. · It is very easy to clean. At the same time, it can be used for grinding other products. | · Fairly high price. On average, the cost is not too high, but it is significantly higher, in contrast to the cost of a standard knife. · There is no compartment for collecting chopped cabbage leaves. · Characterized by low functionality. |
A knife that is not suitable for grinding cabbage leaves may soon become dull and become unsuitable for cutting ingredients. Therefore, such a cutting device has to be changed too often. In this regard, purchasing a more expensive special product becomes more profitable than constantly changing a standard device.
Rules of care
After cutting the vegetable, the cutting device should be immediately rinsed under running water. Afterwards, it is advisable to wipe it well with a piece of cloth. When washing blades, it is undesirable to use sponges made of metal or highly abrasive. To do this, it is recommended to use a soft washcloth and detergent intended for dishes.
The tool can be kept in a box on the table or on a shelf along with other knives. The better the quality of the stainless steel, the easier it is to take care of the chopping knife. This is because stainless steel holds up well to regular washing. However, the cutting device is not dishwasher safe.
Proper cutting of white cabbage for pickling
Sauerkraut is a real art. And here it is important not only the correct salting and sourdough technology, but also the cutting of cabbage. As you know, white cabbage is cut into strips for fermentation, but you need to know which straw is ideal for proper fermentation.
- If the straw is too thin, namely less than two millimeters, then the cabbage will ferment very quickly, before the end of the fermentation process. Such cabbage will be very sour, even pungent, absolutely not crispy and unappetizingly soft and flabby.
- If the straw is very thick, more than six or more millimeters, then the cabbage will not have time to ripen and the salad will turn out tasteless and watery.
- If you cut cabbage with a poorly sharpened blade, then all the juice will be released from the vegetable and as a result the cabbage will turn out tasteless and whitish, without a beautiful amber color.
Ideally, cabbage for pickling should be cut with a knife so that the desired thickness of the straw can be precisely adjusted. The cutting should be uniform, and the straws should not be very long, about 3 cm, and average thickness of 4-5 mm.
In this article you will learn in detail the entire process of properly cutting cabbage for fermentation.
How to quickly and correctly cut cabbage for pickling