Have you ever explored your grandparents’ house and found strange objects that left you scratching your head? Recently, someone shared a photo online of some metal tools that, without the nut-shaped bowl they sit in, look like tiny weapons.
People quickly jumped in with their thoughts, trying to figure out what these odd objects were. One person even suggested they were used to “locate cavities.” Curious to know more about this unusual tool? Keep reading!
We all know what a nutcracker is, not the ballet with the Sugar Plum Fairy, but the metal tool designed to crack open nut shells. A nutcracker looks like pliers with two hinged metal levers or arms, usually serrated, connected at the top.
You place the nut in the jaws of the nutcracker and squeeze the levers together to crack the shell and get to the edible part inside.
Nutcrackers come in all sorts of designs and sizes. Some are simple handheld models, while others are fancy decorative pieces. Some are made for specific types of nuts, while others can handle various nut sizes and even crustaceans like lobster or crab.
Cracking nuts isn’t easy. Once you’ve cracked the shell, the meat still clings to the tough walls. That’s where the puzzling instruments come in. They are nut picks, used to extract the edible portion of a nut from its shell after it’s been cracked.
A nut pick typically has a pointed end that can be inserted into the crevices of the cracked shell to pull out the nut meat without damaging it.
Nut picks come in various designs and materials, including metal, wood, or plastic. Some have decorative handles or ergonomic features for ease of use. They are handy for enjoying a variety of nuts, such as walnuts, pecans, and almonds.
People online shared their memories and uses for these versatile picks. One user recalled, “We used them for walnuts back then. You didn’t get cracked walnuts in a bag. When you wanted to bake with nuts, you bought a bag of walnuts and cracked them open yourself.”
Another user said, “For nuts like walnuts and pecans… they came with the nutcracker. They also worked to get the lobster out of those tiny legs.”
“They are crab and lobster meat picks. I’m lucky to still have my family’s set. Growing up near Maine, we had lots of occasions to use them!” another user wrote.
One creative user shared, “I have used them for what they are intended for, but as an artist, you can find other ways to use them as well.”
Other users offered different thoughts: “They are called olive picks, but can be used for other things so your hands don’t touch the food,” wrote one. Another joked, “Used mostly to pick your teeth after a big dinner… also helpful in locating cavities for you.”
What are your fondest memories of using nutcrackers and picks? Let us know in the comments section and share this story so we can hear what others have to say!
