Ooh la la!
Is that not the prettiest rainbow of spiralized vegetables? đź’•
I have been talking a lot in my recent posts about this new fangled contraption that I’ve recently added to my kitchen collection. You’ve been talking about it, too, in the comments, because you’re on point with everything, you guys. This mysterious thing we’ve been speaking of is called a SPIRALIZER.
Here’s the thing about me and a spiralizer. First, when I thoughtabout the concept of a machine that would take up kitchen space just to make noodles out of vegetables, I got kind of annoyed. Why would I want another thing to clutter up my kitchen cabinets which are already packed to the brim with stuff because my whole food blog operation exists out of a teeny-tiny kitchen with minimal storage? Yeah, not happening.
But then I caved. Peer pressure. I’m weak and I want to be like the cool kids and I got one. Correction: I got, like, five. I was bound and determined to find out if these things were actually as wonderful as the foodie section of the interwebs was claiming them to be, and if so, which one was really worth the precious kitchen cabinet space.
And as much I hate to admit that I might have been wrong, I have to tell you the truth: after playing with a variety of spiralizersfor a few months, I am here to tell you that these little gizmo-doodles are just super super super fun. Not to mention HEALTHY.
I mean, if you don’t feel something warm and fuzzy inside when you watch a sweet potato turn into tiny little spirals (and then proceed to EAT said tiny little spirals covered in, oh, I don’t know, CASHEW CREAM SAUCE?), I don’t know why we’re friends.
With that, I’m going to let you jump right into the video where I’ll tellyou the one spiralizer you should never-ever-ever buy + two spiralizers that I would consider winners. If you have never seen a spiralizer in action before, you are in for a treat.
The two brands that I used as an examplein the video were the MĂĽeller and the Paderno.Here are some notes on each one just to recap the video.
TheMĂĽEller
(warning: spiralizer glam shot ahead)
- lesser known brand, butreally greatquality
- top to bottom spiralizing
- very easy to use – one hand pushes down on the large handle while the otherspirals
- handy little measuring cup attachment that holds all your spiralized vegetables
- works well with more difficult vegetables like carrots
- has four different blades and eight functions
The MĂĽeller spiralizer has a 4.5 star rating from 200+ reviews on Amazon.
ThePaderno
- generally known as the top industry spiralizer
- side to side spiralizing
- mostlyeasy to use – it takes a little practice since you have to push with one hand while spiraling with the other, and there is not a great place to put your second hand to push the vegetable through
- no container to hold the veggies as the get spiralized – they will just fall onto your countertop as you see in the picture here
- works well for bigger vegetables like cabbage
- has three blades that can be stored on the machine, making it simpler for storage
The Padernospiralizer has a 4.5 star rating from6,000+ reviews on Amazon.
If I had to recommend one for a beginner, I think I might actually recommend theMüeller – it was just really easy to use.
That being said, the Paderno is very popular for a reason. It is kind of the “classic spiralizer” that most people know and love. I liked the Padernoespecially because of how neatly it stacks together for storage.
Either one of these two spiralizers will be a win.
Now. Let’s get down to business –>
with 8 life-changing ways to use a spiralizer!
Zucchini
How to spiralize it:Oh, zucchini! The classic vegetable for the spiralizing peeps worldwide. I like to use the small or medium blade for zucchini, and I find it easiest to cut the zucchini in half first (see video). Cooked or raw both work – these little guys are yummy and versatile!
Recipes: 4 Ingredient Creamy Vodka Steak Pasta<–or — >15 Minute Spicy Shrimp with Pesto Noodles– both yummy!
Bell Peppers
How to spiralize it:Bell peppers are definitely a little tricky – more likeSpiralizer 201 – but if you cut off the top and place the open end on the edge of the flat blade, you should be able to attach the bottom side to the handle and spiral, spiral, spiral! Bottom line: if I can do it, you can definitely do it.
Recipes:Rainbow Vegetarian Pad Thai because, honestly, PAD THAI! Yelling necessary.
Apples
How to spiralize it:Apples are a little bit weird because of the core, right? So we cut off the top, cut off the bottom, and stick the middle part (the core, which we don’t want) right on the core anchor of the spiralizer. Core = gone. Boom!
Recipes:My sweet friend Gina from Skinnytaste has just the thing for you: Spiralized Apple and Cabbage Slaw!
Sweet Potatoes
How to spiralize it:Sweet potatoes make are a fantastic veg to usewith the spiralizer! Check out the video for my demo.
Recipes:Creamy Spinach Sweet Potato Noodles with Cashew Sauce – yes. There it is.
Cucumber
How to spiralize it:The only issue with cucumbers is the water – ALL THAT WATER. Spiralize it normally and then just let it sit for a while to drain out the water and you’ll be in fresh salad heaven. Eat these ones raw!
Recipes:Rainbow Power Salad with Roasted Chickpeasđź’ť enough said.
Cabbage
How to spiralize it:Cabbage is so easy to spiralize! Just use the flat blade (since the cabbage already in layers for you by nature) and voila. Two seconds later, a nice big pile-o-shredded (spiralized) cabbage.
Recipes:Spiralized Cabbage with Zucchini and Almonds – super creative combo from Ali of the famous Inspiralized blog!
Red Onions
How to spiralize it:Onions are super easy to spiralize – who knew?! Just use a flat blade since the onions are already layered by nature, and two seconds later, you’ll have a pile of thinly sliced rings that are perfect for a whole variety of uses.
Recipes:Pickled red onions, anyone? Easy recipe for the pickled onions included in this post for the Arugula Salad with Grapes and Black Pepper Vinaigrette. Because then, obviously, you’ll need something to put them on. 👌
Yellow Squash
How to spiralize it:If this isn’t the prettiest thing ever… wow. I just love it. Just like the regular zucchini, this guy plays nice with the spiralizer! Super easy to make into thick or thin noodles.
Recipes:20 Minute Healthy Chicken Parmesan for the win!
One Last Thing
Here are the spiralizer recipes I am loving lately!
Rainbow Power Salad with Roasted Chickpeas
Creamy Spinach Sweet Potato Noodles with Cashew Sauce
15 Minute Spicy Shrimp with Pesto Noodles
Rainbow Vegetarian Pad Thai
4 Ingredient Creamy Vodka Steak Pasta
20 Minute Healthy Chicken Parmesan
Of course, you can get both of these spiralizers on our beloved Amazon (here for the MĂĽeller, and here for the Paderno), which, hopefully you have set up with Prime so that you can get two day shipping for free? Anyone else out there Prime-obsessed?
Otherwise I think you can get these at speciality food stores, like maybe a Williams & Sonoma type situation? I have yet to see them at “regular” stores like Target, so in my internet-and-free-two-day-shipping-loving humble opinion, you might be best off ordering online.
Disclaimer: the links in this post for both the MĂĽellerSpiralizer and the Paderno Spiralizer are Amazon affiliate links.
If you have anything to add to this list, let’s hear it! I know that there are zillions of creative ways to use the spiralizer and I’m hereby enlisting your expertise. Leave a comment with yourideas!
