Norpro Grip-EZ Jalapeno and Pepper Corer

Coring a jalapeno with a paring knife leaves capsaicin on your fingers and seeds on the board. Norpro’s Grip-EZ corer does the job in two moves. Slice the stem end off with the serrated edge, then push the scoop into the pepper and twist; the inner teeth grip the seeds and ribs and pull them out in one piece. Removing the bitter seeds and the pith, where much of the heat concentrates, gives you control over the flavor and heat of the finished dish.

Your fingers barely touch the inside of the pepper, which cuts down on the burning hands that come with a big batch of jalapeno poppers. The stainless blade is narrow enough for small and medium peppers, and the soft Santoprene handle holds securely when your hands are wet.

Hollow peppers stuff neatly with cream cheese and wrap in bacon for poppers, or fill with sausage for the grill. The same corer also hollows cucumbers and small tomatoes. For larger tomatoes and strawberries, the Norpro Core It tomato corer is the better tool, and the garlic press and slicer handles the garlic for the filling.