View source for Colander

{{Short description|Bowl-shaped kitchen utensil with holes in it used for draining food}}
{{Distinguish|Calendar|Calender|Coriander}}
{{other uses}}
[[File:Blue colander.jpg|300px|thumb|An [[Vitreous enamel|enamelled]] colander]]

A '''colander''' (or '''cullender''') is a kitchen utensil perforated with holes used to strain foods such as [[pasta]] or to rinse vegetables.<ref name= MerriamWebster>{{cite web| url= http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/colander|title= colander |year= 2011 |publisher = Merriam-Webster| website= merriam-webster.com| access-date= 23 May 2022}}</ref> The perforations of the colander allow liquid to drain through while retaining the solids inside. It is sometimes called a '''pasta strainer'''. A [[sieve]], with much finer [[mesh]], is also used for straining.

==Description and history==
Traditionally, colanders are made of a light [[metal]], such as [[aluminium]] or thinly rolled [[stainless steel]]. Colanders are also made of plastic, silicone, ceramic, and [[enamelware]].<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.cooksinfo.com/colander |title= Colander| website= CooksInfo.com| publisher=| date= 15 October 2010| access-date= 30 November 2012}}</ref>

The word ''colander'' comes from the Latin {{Lang|la|colum}}, meaning sieve.<ref name=MerriamWebster/>

==Types==
[[File:Mated colander pot two views RJP.jpg|alt=Mated colander pot|thumb|A mated colander pot showing the colander fully inserted into the bottom pot, and slightly lifted out of it]]

* Bowl- or cone-shaped – the usual colander
* Mated colander pot – a colander inside a cooking pot, allowing the food to drain as it is lifted out<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://justcooking.in/dictionary/mated-colander-pot|title= Mated Colander Pot |website= justcooking.in| publisher= | date= | access-date= 23 May 2022}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Chinois]]
* [[Zaru]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Commonscat}}
{{Wiktionary}}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20230318210124/https://kitchenguideline.com/colander-vs-strainer/ Colander vs Strainer]}}

{{Kitchen tools}}

[[Category:Filters]]
[[Category:Food preparation utensils]]
[[Category:Religious headgear]]

{{Cooking-tool-stub}}