Mezzaluna

A mezzaluna is a chopping instrument consisting of a single or double curved blade with a handle on each end. It is often used for chopping herbs or very large single blade versions are sometimes used for pizza or pesto.

Mezzaluna means "half moon" in Italian, after the rough shape of the blade, and is the most common name used in the UK. Other names used include herb chopper or hachoir which is its French name. It is also similar to the Inuit ulu.

They may be found sold with a wooden block that has a shallow indentation in it, ideal for containing the ingredients (such as herbs) to be chopped.