The Old-School Apple Kitchen Item We Don't See People Use Anymore

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There's no denying that, as time inevitably goes on, innovation keeps ticking forward, providing tools and gadgets that make life in the kitchen easier. However, there's a vintage item that many people don't use anymore that deserves some recognition for how quickly it can make apple-related recipes a breeze. The forgotten tool in question — an old-school hand-crank apple peeler. While it's not a small hand peeler like the one so many use nowadays that you can shove in a drawer, this unit is quite robust, which may be why so many no longer use one.

This hand-crank peeler features prongs on one end that you insert into the apple to hold it in place. As a heads up, place the stemmed side of the fruit into the prongs for best results. The other end of the contraption has a handle that rotates the apple against an arm that holds a blade, artfully peeling the apple's exterior. Additionally, if you move the blade back, the end of the rod has a circular segment that cores the center of the apple too. In a few swift rotations of the handle, you're left with a bare-skinned, coreless apple ready to use in all your cozy, fruity recipes — which, in many ways, is much more efficient (and safer) than peeling and dissecting the core all by hand.

Sure, you can live without a hand-crank apple peeler, but if you're looking to revamp your kitchen with a nostalgic tool that still gets the job done, you're in luck. Although they aren't seen in kitchens as often as they once were, these peelers are still sold today. Retailers such as Kohl's and Target often carry them, or you can have one sent straight to your door from Amazon for just over $20.

While you're waiting for the peeler to arrive, start brainstorming all the delicious dishes and desserts you can create. One idea is to whip up a peel-to-stem apple pie, utilizing every inch of the fruit. The peeler is also perfect for making slow-cooker applesauce, or for transforming soft apples into smooth apple butter. For a sweet finish, you could also make spiced baked apples; the corer will create a perfect well to fill with rich vanilla ice cream and warm, cinnamon- and earthy nutmeg-coated apple pieces.