Favorite Summertime Kitchen Gadgets

Here are my favorite summertime kitchen gadgets that I find myself reaching for over and over again, especially once the weather starts to warm up!

Look at that, the temperature touches 80 and I’m over hear talking about summertime. Perhaps I just need a different title though because these favorite kitchen gadgets of mine come in super handy for both spring and summer, though some I use all year long.

I actually came across this idea yesterday afternoon when I saw the Pellegrino I forgot to put out for the party chillin’ in the fridge and figured it would make a pretty good afternoon sipper.

A squeeze of lime later and I realized I was right. So considering my tripod was still hanging around in the kitchen I snapped these super natural selfies to align with this post topic.

Mmm… refreshing! the commercial would say right about here.

My ridiculousness aside, freshly squeezed lemon or lime beats the bottled stuff we keep in the fridge hands down. I received my citrus squeezer as a gift 2 Christmases ago and find myself pulling it out several times a week, much more than I ever would have thought. It’s so handy!

Here are the other simple summertime kitchen gadgets I find myself using quite frequently once the weather warms up…

1- Olive and Cherry Pitter
Cherries are typically in season May-August and are definitely one of my kids’ favorite fruits. I used to cut the pit out individually which took forever and stained my fingers. After my first use of a cherry pitter, I wondered what took me so long!

2- Herb Scissors
I don’t actually own these yet, but I’ve wanted a pair for years, so they are next on my list so I can take easy advantage of all the fresh herbs to come!

3- Salad Spinner
My first CSA box was overflowing with greens! Local and organic is pretty awesome, but definitely requires a thorough washing at home. Thanks to a salad spinner, the task is quick ‘n easy.

4- Tomato Slicer Knife
Tomato season is almost here!! It’s the most wonderful time of the year. I’m picturing BLTAs, Caprese salads, and thick sliced tomatoes as a dinner side. A tomato slicer knife sounds silly but really makes prepping these big boys so much faster because it slices easily with no squishing.

5- Lemon Lime Squeezer
It’s not just for mules and margaritas, salad dressings, cilantro lime rice, sparkling water, marinades, etc; it’s all better with fresh citrus!

6- Silicone Ice Pop Molds
Because turning juice or smoothies into hot afternoon treats has never been so easy. Plus this design is less messy and easier for kids to eat than the kind with the sticks!

7- Melon Baller
Maybe it’s nostalgia leading the way with this one, but I dig a melon baller. It makes serving watermelon and cantaloupe to kids such a breeze. It can scoop the core out of pears and apples, to seed tomatoes, to hollow out potatoes for stuffing, or to scoop out cute little balls of ice cream for kids. The possibilities are endless.

8- Zester and Cheese Grater
Similar to the citrus squeezer, the zest of lemons, limes, and oranges can freshen up any meal when added to grains or marinades. You can use the same tool to add fresh Parmesan to a summery pasta dish too! Or chocolate shavings or grating garlic or ginger too.

What spring and/or summer food are you most excited about?

For me it’s tomatoes; always tomatoes.

Do you have a favorite kitchen gadget for the summertime?