Italians are famous for their amore for all things pasta, but thanks to spiralized “zoodles,” they’re all about low-carb substitutes, according to the research group Mintel. Since the squash swap saves about 160 calories per cup versus traditional spaghetti, it’s clear why dieters are devoted to their spiralizers. But the sharp slicer is good for more than spinning out standard zoodles. Try these creative spiralizer recipes to get the most out of this affordable culinary contraption.
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1. Spiralized Vegetable Spring Rolls
Unlike Chinese deep-fried spring rolls, Vietnamese or Thai spring rolls are a low-calorie option due to their paper-thin rice wrapper. This vegetarian starter recipe is as colorful and beautiful as it is tasty. Give your spiralizer a workout creating curlicues of cucumber, radish and bell pepper for the filling. Serve with chopped kale and carrot ribbons. Photo and recipe: Keri / Fashionable Foods
2. Oven Baked Basil Parmesan Shoestring Fries
Thick-cut potatoes can turn into a mushy mess when you opt to bake instead of fry them. Not these skinny shoestring spuds! Choose the smallest blade for tiny spirals that crisp up beautifully as they bake on a sheet pan. Seasoned with fresh chopped basil and grated Parmesan, these tasty fries pair well with the sweetness of the strawberry ketchup. Photo and recipe: Alexa Schirm / Simple Roots Wellness
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3. Spicy Papaya Salad with Smoky Roasted Peanuts
You can spiralize more than veggies. This refreshing Asian salad is proof! Stock up on a couple vitamin C-powerhouse papayas, and give them a spin in the spiralizer. Use the spaghetti blade, or if you prefer thinner slices, opt for match sticks. Top with a citrus-herb dressing and garnish with sweet and spicy peanuts. Photo and recipe: Mel / A Virtual Vegan
4. Paleo Tuna Green Chile Casserole
Instead of pasta or rice, this Whole 30-approved seafood casserole starts with thick ribbons of zucchini. Once the excess moisture is pressed out of the green veggies, they’re the perfect neutral flavor base to soak up the goodness of the creamy tuna sauce. Photo and recipe: Lindsay Cotter / Cotter Crunch
5. Stuffed Chicken Breasts Wrapped in Spiralized Sweet Potato Strings
Instead of flour or breadcrumbs, this chicken recipe uses spiralized Japanese sweet potatoes as the coating, while offering the same satisfying crunch. Brush with a touch of melted ghee, butter or olive oil for wow-worthy texture. Photo and recipe: Sonia / The Healthy Foodie
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6. Spiralizer Autumn Apple and Fennel Salad with Farro
Not all white foods are off limits. Spirals of crispy apples, thinly-sliced fennel and protein-rich farro are the three nutritious ingredients that take centerstage in this light appetizer. Photo and recipe: Sarah Cook / Making Thyme for my Health
7. Roasted Spiralized Butternut Squash Kale Salad
The zoodle craze has been around long enough that you’re now well aware that summer squash can be spiralized. Butternut and other cooler-weather squashes can, too! Combine it with superfoods like chopped kale and pomegranate seeds for a colorful and nutritious salad that’s way better than any bagged mix. Photo and recipe: Emilie / Emilie Eats
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8. Spiralized Potato Chips with Onion Dip
Baked chips can err on the bland or soggy side, but these thinly sliced rosemary-garlic goodies crisp up perfectly! Brush the sweet potato and russet potato rounds with olive oil and cook in a single layer on a sheet pan, then serve with your favorite dip — or enjoy solo for a low-calorie snack. Photo and recipe: Barbara Bianchi / The Gluten Free Homestead
9. 5-Minute Crunchy Lime Asian Slaw
Slaws soak up loads of flavor since the veggies involved are shredded into tiny pieces (allowing for ample surface area for the dressing to stick). For a refreshing alternative to mayo-laden slaws, spiralize cucumber, bell pepper and carrots, then coat with a homemade peanut-ginger sauce. Photo and recipe: Sabrina / Dinner, Then Dessert
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