This post is more of a journal rather than one of sharing my experience of spiralizers. Because basically, I don’t have much to share yet.
I have as many questions as you do, one of the first being, which vegetables can you spiralize? I will get to that in a little bit (click the link if you can’t wait).
But first I’ll introduce my new family member.
I got my first proper spiralizer only this week. Here it is in full glory (I had only used it once when this picture was taken).
And this is the very first dish I made with it.
I didn’t use a recipe. I made it only with what I had in the fridge.
This is what went into it.
- Spiralized carrots
- Spiralized red onion
- Spiralized cucumber
- Crushed garlic
- Crumbled cheddar cheese
- Sliced tomato
- Olive oil
- A dribble of balsamic vinegar
- Pinch of salt
I used the ‘angel hair’ blade which did a perfect job and was all done in minutes.
Let me tell you it was delicious. Even my salad adverse boy #1 ate it. He didn’t say he loved it but neither did he hate it. That, in my book, is a win!
It all got eaten bar a handful which I will be enjoying tomorrow for lunch.
In case you have no idea what I’m talking about (let’s face it, a week ago neither did I) I will start from the beginning.
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What is a vegetable spiralizer?
Spiralizing fruits and vegetables is a way to cut them into long thin curly strips to make them resemble noodles or spaghetti.
Substituting pasta with spiralized (or as I like to call them ‘noodled’ veggies) is a great way to cut down on your carb intake and increase your nutrient levels at the same time.
There are lots of different veggies and fruits you can spiralize, but in this post, I focus on vegetables.
How do you spiralize vegetables?
There are a few different methods to get your veggies spiralised.
Manually with a handheld spiraliser
Up until I got my automatic spiraliser (this week) I had this manual one. The problem I found is that it only does one spiral thickness and softer things get caught up.
I’m not sure if it was the particular tool I had that wouldn’t deal with cucumber, or I did it wrong, but all I know is it didn’t work … and basically I gave up spiralizing altogether.
I notice now that these manual ones come as a pair, but I only had the green one. I’m not sure where the red one had gone. Maybe it would have cut the cucumber better I don’t know!
By hand
This is something I only found out recently, but yes, you can spiralize by hand too! Obviously, it is going to take longer. But, totally possible. Simply take a julienne peeler and you can make lots of thin strips pretty easily.
Automatic (wind up) spiralizer
I have this automatic version now, and wow what a step up it is! It is still manual but it is easier because you turn a handle instead of having to twist the vegetable. It is much quicker, plus it comes with five different blades for making all kinds of spirals.
What is the best vegetable spiralizer to buy?
I think it really doesn’t matter which kind you buy. I love gadgets so I have the larger one that you turn with a handle. Manual versions would do just as well.
I’m going to save my manual version for the holidays instead. Often we stay in self-catering apartments, and usually, they don’t have one available.
What are the best vegetables to spiralize?
As I said, my spiralizing machine is still new to me. So my immediate question is ‘what vegetables are good to spiralize’.
I’m really keen on squeezing more veggies into my family’s diet. Soup is one way to increase veg intake. But whilst both hubby and I love soup, the kids are not so keen.
So here is a list of the best veggies to spiralize. You can be assured that I will be spiralizing these like there is no tomorrow haha.
As some of these veggies come into season I will post a picture of the result. There’s no chance of getting butternut squash just yet.
14 best vegetables to spiralize
Courgettes/Zucchini
Great for a nutritious and low-carb pasta alternative.
Butternut squash
When you can get these use the top of the vegetable for spiralizing (the bit without the seeds).
Carrots
Make your salads nice and colourful with carrots.
Potatoes
With the right blade, you can make fries.
Sweet potatoes
If potatoes are too high in carbs for you, swap them out for some sweet potatoes.
Cucumbers
Great for salads.
Broccoli stalks
This is a new one for me! I’m never going to throw away the stalks again.
Turnips
Not so sure about this one. I’ve never got my boys to eat turnips. I might try sneaking some in amongst something else and see if they notice!
Onions
I am useless at cutting onions and they always make me cry. I will definitely be spiralizing my onions from now on.
Sweet/bell peppers
I love peppers. I prefer them cooked I have to say, but these will make a great colourful addition to salads.
Beetroots
I’ve read mixed reports on whether it is safe to eat raw beets. I always cook mine first.
Celeriac
I adore celeriac period.
Cabbage
All kinds of cabbage, savoy, spring, red and white. I love to make homemade coleslaw with white cabbage, onions and carrot, and green cabbage makes a good pasta alternative.
Parsnips
I usually only buy these at Christmas time to have roasted, but I’m tempted to try these because I love them.
10 vegetable spiralizer recipes
Now for the recipes. Here are the tastiest and most promising I have found.
When I say ‘promising’, I mean those that I’m most likely to try because they look easy and quick (and I don’t have much patience).
I put them all and more on this Pinterest board.
If you find something you love too, don’t forget to click the save button.
Spiralized Fried Potatoes by cooktoria.com
I love this sweet video! I think this is going to be the first dish I try.
Spiralized Greek Salad by oldhousetonewhome.net
We love Greek salad, but never had it spiralized until now!
Peanut Chicken Zucchini Noodles by sallysbakingaddiction.com
I’ve picked this one because we love chicken in our house and when added to a stir-fry along with peanuts (a great combination) it is irresistible.
Spiralized Sweet Potato Egg in a Hole by eatthegains.com
This is a delicious idea for sweet potato and egg and would make a great healthy lunch or breakfast.
Thai Zucchini Noodle Salad with Cabbage by evolvingtable.com
Made with cabbage, zucchini, carrots and peanuts with a tasty Thai sauce.
Butternut Squash Noodles by delish.com
When I can get butternut squash at my supermarket I will definitely be making this!
Rainbow Noodle Salad by thekitchn.com
I love this colourful dish with an Asian influence.
Zucchini Noodle Salad Recipe with Bacon & Tomatoes by wholesomeyum.com
It doesn’t matter if you are not low-carb or paleo you can still enjoy this zucchini salad with crispy bacon for extra bite.
Spiralized Vegetable Salad with Roasted Chickpeas by jessicagavin.com
Jessica has a step by step guide in her recipe for roasting the chickpeas. It looks a little fiddly because you have to remove the skins, but Jessica says ‘you can leave the skins on if you are in a hurry’. Phew! I can’t wait to try this.
Zucchini Noodles With Walnut-Parsley Pesto by sproutsandkrauts.com
Last but not least, zucchini noodles! I couldn’t leave this recipe out could I?
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