A marrow spoon is a specially designed spoon which is engineered to help consumers get marrow out of bones. Bone marrow is a popular delicacy, especially in Europe, and this rich, flavorful meat product can be cooked and served in a wide range of ways. When it is served in the bone, a marrow spoon, sometimes called a marrow scoop, is essential. This piece of esoteric silverware looks a bit strange, but it does the job quite beautifully.
The appearance of a marrow spoon is quite distinctive. The bowl of the spoon is long and very narrow, allowing people to force it into the hollow of a bone to pull out the marrow. The handle is often slim and streamlined as well, so that it does not look out of proportion in comparison with the bowl of the spoon. If a silverware pattern is used, it tends to be simple, or an abbreviated version of a more complex pattern, to accommodate the narrower handle.
There are other uses for marrow spoons. Some people use them as novelty scoops for sugar and salt, for example, and they can also be used to serve relish and other condiments. These spoons are made in silver, stainless steel, and other metals, and they may be solid or accented with bone or wooden handles. Care directions for marrow spoons vary, depending on the materials used to construct them.
The quintessential dish for which one requires a marrow spoon is osso buco, an Italian roast veal dish which includes the bone. The marrow in the bone is viewed as one of the highlights of this dish, as one might gather from the name, which means “bone hole” in Italian. The use of a marrow spoon allows people to eat neatly; otherwise they might be forced to pick up the bones and suck the marrow out, which would be an unsightly experience.
High-end kitchen stores which specialize in unusual flatware may carry marrow spoons, and it is also possible to order them directly from manufacturers. If you need spoons which match a particular pattern, some silverware firms will custom-fabricate marrow spoons and other utensils for you. You can also find numerous antique marrow spoons for sale at collector's shops; if you purchase antiques, inspect them carefully for scratches, as the sharp edges of bone can damage a marrow spoon.
