What it means
کفگیر سوراخدار (kafgir-e surâkhdâr) is a large, flat, long-handled kitchen utensil with holes or slots that allow liquid to drain through while solid food is lifted out. The base word کفگیر (kafgir) comes from Arabic كَفّ (kaff), meaning the palm of the hand, combined with the Persian suffix گیر (gir), meaning holder or catcher. It is used for lifting meatballs, potatoes, or fritters from hot oil, skimming foam from broth, and draining blanched vegetables. A plain solid spatula or ladle is simply کفگیر (kafgir), while the slotted version is qualified by سوراخدار (surâkhdâr), meaning perforated or having holes, from سوراخ (surâkh, hole) plus the Persian suffix دار (dâr, having).
How to use it
- با کفگیر سوراخدار کوفتهها رو از روغن دربیار. (bâ kafgir-e surâkhdâr kufte-hâ ro az rowghan darbiyâr.) “Use the slotted spoon to lift the meatballs out of the oil.”
- کفگیر سوراخدار کجاست؟ (kafgir-e surâkhdâr kojâst?) “Where is the slotted spoon?”
- با کفگیر سوراخدار کف دیگ رو بگیر. (bâ kafgir-e surâkhdâr kaf-e dig ro begir.) “Skim the foam off the pot with the slotted spoon.”
- کوفته رو با کفگیر سوراخدار بذار توی سینی. (kufte ro bâ kafgir-e surâkhdâr bezâr tu-ye sini.) “Place the meatballs on the tray with the slotted spoon.”
Cultural note
Iranian home cooking relies heavily on frying and slow-simmered stews, which makes the slotted spoon an essential daily tool. Dishes like کوفته تبریزی (Tabrizi meatballs), سیبزمینی سرخشده (fried potatoes), and زولبیا (fried funnel cake syrup pastry for Ramadan) all require lifting pieces out of hot oil while leaving the cooking liquid behind. The term کفگیر on its own is understood by most Iranians to mean the plain solid ladle or spatula, so the qualifier سوراخدار is necessary to specify the perforated version in kitchen conversation.