Para la ensalada, uso un pelador para la zanahoria y un rallador para el queso.

Spanish often leaves out subject pronouns when they are clear from the verb ending.

• uso already means I use
• so yo uso is possible, but yo is not necessary

Including yo would usually add emphasis, such as:

• Yo uso un pelador... = I use a peeler...

In a neutral sentence, leaving yo out is the most natural choice.

It can mean either, depending on context.

In Spanish, the simple present often covers both:

• a habitual action: I use
• a current action, especially in descriptions or recipes: I’m using

So here uso could mean:

• For the salad, I use a peeler...
• or For the salad, I’m using a peeler...

If someone wanted to stress that the action is happening right now, they could also say estoy usando, but that is not necessary here.

Spanish uses articles more often than English does.

Here, the articles sound natural because the speaker is referring to specific things in the situation:

• la ensalada = the salad being made
• la zanahoria = the carrot being worked on
• el queso = the cheese being grated

English often drops articles in similar phrases, but Spanish usually keeps them. So:

• para la ensalada is natural
• para ensalada would sound incomplete or unnatural in this sentence

It has a related idea both times, but the role is slightly different.

• Para la ensalada = for the salad
  This gives the purpose or context.
• un pelador para la zanahoria / un rallador para el queso = a peeler for the carrot / a grater for the cheese
  Here para shows what the tool is used for.

So in all cases, para is expressing purpose or intended use.

They can, yes.

A more explicit version would be:

• Uso un pelador para pelar la zanahoria y un rallador para rallar el queso.

This makes the action very clear:

• pelador → used to peel
• rallador → used to grate

The original sentence is understandable, but adding the infinitives can sound clearer and more natural, especially for learners.

The difference is mainly one of focus.

• un pelador para la zanahoria = a peeler used for the carrot in this situation
• un pelador de zanahoria = a carrot peeler, as the name or type of tool

The same applies to:

• un rallador para el queso = a grater for the cheese
• un rallador de queso = a cheese grater

So de often helps name the object, while para often highlights purpose or intended use.

They come from verbs:

• pelar = to peel
• rallar = to grate

Then Spanish adds -dor to form a noun for a tool or thing that does that action:

• pelar → pelador
• rallar → rallador

This pattern is common in Spanish, and it is useful to recognize because it helps you guess meanings.

Because Spanish nouns have grammatical gender.

• zanahoria is feminine → la zanahoria
• queso is masculine → el queso

This does not mean the carrot or cheese is literally feminine or masculine. It is just part of how Spanish grammar works.

The article must match the noun:

• la with feminine singular nouns
• el with masculine singular nouns

Putting Para la ensalada first sets the scene or context: as for the salad or for the salad.

It tells you right away what all the following actions relate to.

About the comma:

• Para la ensalada, uso... = acceptable
• Para la ensalada uso... = also very common

With a short introductory phrase like this, many writers would leave the comma out. The comma mainly adds a small pause.

Because the correct verb here is rallar, which means to grate.

• rallar queso = to grate cheese
• rallador = grater

A different verb, rayar, usually means things like:

• to draw lines
• to scratch
• to annoy
• to drive someone crazy

Because ll and y often sound the same in modern Spanish, learners and even native speakers sometimes confuse the spelling. But for cheese, the standard form is:

• rallar
• rallador