The first time I made maki sushi I was in elementary school. My relatives were preparing dishes for the New Year’s Eve party, and my grandmother was making roll after roll of maki sushi. Soon I was laying a sheet of nori on a bamboo mat. Bachan gave me two instructions: Do not place the rice too close to the edge of the nori, and make sure to roll it tight.
I placed the rice as she instructed and carefully laid out each filling in the order my Bachan did, making sure they were in straight lines. I lifted the edge of the mat and rolled. My roll didn’t come out of the mat like everyone else’s so I whispered, “Bachan, how do I get the sushi out?”
I had rolled the bamboo mat into the sushi.
You won’t do that with the Sushizi. Although a mat like the one I used comes with the device, it isn’t needed.
HOW IT WORKS
Instructions are easy to follow — unhinge the latched tube and oil the cavities, then fill each side with 1/2 cup cooked rice. Next, using the “plunger,” press rice down to create a space for the filling. Add filling, snap the gadget shut, turn the plunger a few times to squeeze everything together, push out the rice onto a sheet of nori, and roll.
When I tested the Sushezi, I used water instead of oil to lubricate the tube. I didn’t want oil on my sushi, though my Auntie Linda did point out that Korean nori is oily (and delicious). I also preferred using a scant 3/4 cup of rice in each cavity.
DOES IT WORK?
Yes. The device may take a little practice, but it makes sushi-rolling easy.
PROS
Fun to use. Once the sushi is extracted, it can be rolled in more than just nori. Try roe, tempura flakes, a thin slice of salmon, etc. Use anything you want for the filling. Easy to clean. Quick to use (once you get the hang of it).
CONS
May increase rice consumption. The two sides of the Sushezi tube must be snapped shut quickly to prevent filling from falling out. If you’re a sushi purist, it will take practice not to smoosh the rice, yet create a roll that, when cut, doesn’t fall apart.
COST AND AVAILABILITY
I ordered the Sushi Bazooka (I loved that name) but received the Sushezi, an identical gadget, instead. The Sushezi costs $6.79 plus shipping on amazon.com but search for “sushi bazooka” and you’ll see a multitude of similar items ranging from $6 to $19.
WORTH IT?
Yes. No one will roll a bamboo mat into a sushi with this gadget.
Got a gadget that you love? Curious about one you’d like us to test? Email crave@staradvertiser.com or write Crave,Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813.
