Have you ever considered that noodles are just a way to transport the great toppings and sauces that they carry? However, when trying to shed pounds its often a good idea to cut back on or avoid large portions of pasta. Fortunately, finding ways reduce carbohydrates while still enjoying some favorite dishes has become slightly easier with spiralizing. Zoodles (a.k.a. the Zucchini Noodle) are becoming a popular option and are available in the fresh produce and freezer sections of the grocery store as well as at some restaurants (Noodles and Co now have them).
However, making these beauties at home from fresh veggies isn’t difficult. Spiralizers, which come in a range of prices and don’t need to be expensive to work well, allow even novice cooks to create them without much effort. The following tips can help make the process a bit easier which will make it more likely that your new kitchen gadget will become a favorite.
- Start with softer fruits and veggies like zucchini and cucumbers which are easier and don’t require much muscle.
- Choose veggies with a medium to large circumference which will hold in place better, cutting them in half can help them fit in the spiralizer.
As your technique improves, consider spiralizing carrots, sweet potatoes, beets, or even unused broccoli stems. It is recommended that you cook these veggies a bit to make them slightly softer and easier to work with (be careful not to over cook them however).
When cooking the spiralized veggies, heat a small amount of olive oil in a non-stick pan. Once heated, add the veggies and cook until al-dente. Depending on what you are serving them with, consider adding some onion or garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste. Or get creative and add even more spices from your pantry.
Some recipes suggest blending regular pasta with the spiralized veggies. An excellent option to ease into using your veggies in this way.
Late summer and early fall are a great time to start experimenting…. the harvest is plenty and it seems there are always TONS of zucchini around. Give it a try, Happy Spiralizing!