What is this?

[Megan Blocker]

My grandparents recently moved out of the house they've owned in Connecticut for the last thirty-odd years. As the most culinarily inclined grandchild, I received a decent number of goodies (some All-Clad pots and pans, my grandmother's rolling pin , and so on). One thing I got, but that none of us present could identify (my grandmother is down in Florida right now) was the one pictured below.

Now, the group assembled for the packing adventures were all fairly prolific cooks and well-traveled folks. But we'd never seen this tool before. We think it's some sort of tool for removing fresh pasta from its cooking water (specifically, ravioli and tortellini). Do you know? Any thoughts? Help! It's definitely well-made and lovely, but I have no idea what to use it for!!!

Front view:

Back view:

Tag:

The tag reads: Re Inox/Aeternum/Made in Italy.

[M.X.Hassett]

It is an Umbria Strainer http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=e...fari%26rls%3Den

Look under products linear

Edited November 14, 2005 by M.X.Hassett (log)

[Gifted Gourmet]

This is the UMBRIA COLANDER from Aeternum ...website photo here click the wheel to get to products .. then click on linear .. left side of the list ...

Now can I go on the culinary trip to Europe with you and your mom, Megan??

[M.X.Hassett]

This is the UMBRIA COLANDER from Aeternum ...website photo here click the wheel to get to products .. then click on linear .. left side of the list ...

Now can I go on the culinary trip to Europe with you and your mom, Megan??

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Wow what a tie

[Gifted Gourmet]

Wow what a tie 

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8:40 and 8:41 is a photo finish . not a tie ... curses, foiled again!

[M.X.Hassett]

Wow what a tie 

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8:40 and 8:41 is a photo finish . not a tie ... curses, foiled again!

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Ah but you did not call it a strainer as I did thus subtracting a minute from my score.

[Megan Blocker]

Wowza! Thanks for the quick response, guys. Now the other side of the question: what should I use it for? The site has a photo, but doesn't tell me what to do with it!!!!

Melissa, I'll ask my Mommy if you can come with.

[M.X.Hassett]

"Special teardrop shape originated in Italy's Umbria region. A safe and easy way to scoop pasta or vegetables directly from boiling water.

No need to tilt and drain the whole poy." from: http://www.ikitchen.com/vilscoopcol4.html So your guess of pasta was correct.

[Gifted Gourmet]

Ah but you did not call it a strainer as I did thus subtracting a minute from my score. 

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but I used the actual legitimate product name as it appears on their website for ordering the thing, Hassett ...

so there! Ha!

what should I use it for?

pretty much as you indicated, picking tortellini out of a pot of boiling water ...

[M.X.Hassett]

Ah but you did not call it a strainer as I did thus subtracting a minute from my score. 

←

but I used the actual legitimate product name as it appears on their website for ordering the thing, Hassett ...

so there! Ha!

That is why it is a tie, I used the wrong term thus costing me a minute off of my score.

[Megan Blocker]

You guys rock! Thank you!!!!

Now, play nice.

[ghostrider]

How big is this gizmo? It looks handy if it's the right size.