Grate

Culinary definition of grate:  To cut food into small pieces or shreds by using a metal or plastic grater.

C@H FOOD FOR THOUGHT
Invest in a good quality stainless steel grater that you can safely put in the dishwasher.  Handwashing steel graters is tedious and most-often ends up in sponge-shredding. 

Hint:  when you get down to the knub of something hard like a carrot - don't risk your fingerstips - snack on the ends or save them for another use.  Soft foods like cheese are easier to grate, but be sure to use the flats of at least three fingers to push the last bits through the grater - grated knuckles and fingers have ruined many a dish...  See also Shred.

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