Betty

Noodling Spiralizers

Spiralizer in box.

I got me a “Cortador Electrico En Espiral.” Yep, I’ve been shoppin’ fancy again. At the Aldi. I had to. Remember my post, Looking Forward, where I set out my goals for 2021. One of my goals was to get a spiralizer and make zoodles (noodles from zucchini.)

Now, there is a spiralizer attachment that can be purchased for my KitchenAid mixer. However, this was double the price ($60) as compared to my Aldi version at $30. I have heard the KitchenAid spiralizer is very sharp and requires careful handling. I am sure it is a quality product. However, given the price difference, the less threatening look of the Aldi’s spiralizer, and the fact that it was right in front of me in the store, I decided to leave it in the cart. Plus, there is a large food chute. That’s gotta be good.

Components of spiralizer on kitchen counter.
Oh Boy! What did I get myself into?

First, I read the “User Manual” which features directions in English and in Espanol. I went to the English section, and there I found a wordless diagram showing how to assemble the spiralizer. This was very helpful. I skimmed through the booklet looking for other useful information. I found the following tips:

  • Do not use the spiralizer with a … separate remote control system.
  • Do not use the spiralizer … in the rain.
  • Do not place the spiralizer where there is a risk of ….it falling into a tub…
  • Never….carry the spiralizer by its own power cord.
  • Never place the motor unit in the dishwasher. (Darn!)

And lastly,

  • The sprializer is for HOUSEHOLD USE only.

That was pretty much the extent of the “User Manual.” There was not one recipe or even one helpful tip. So, I watched a few Youtube videos about making zoodles. And from there, I decided to wing it and make my own creation. I had some precooked Italian meatballs, about 2/3 jar of pasta sauce, and some Parmesan cheese. Using my noodle (ha ha), I had bought four zucchini at the same time I purchased the spiralizer. I was ready to go!

End of zucchini after being put through the spiralizer.
I ended up with 4 of these!

I cut off both ends of the zucchini. Then I pushed them down the tube. I had to press really hard with the “Food Pusher” to get the zucchini to travel down the tube. I also decimated one end of the zucchini trying to get it to agree with my plans. Between cutting off both ends and what happened with the pushing, I probably wasted one whole zucchini. The next morning, I woke up thinking maybe I shouldn’t have cut off the end of the zucchini that gets pushed. That’s the kind of “Morning Afters” I have.

Once I had the zoodles from two zucchini, I put them in a large fry pan with some olive oil. I sprinkled them with garlic powder and Italian seasonings. I sauteed the zoodles near high heat for about ten minutes, maybe less. After sauteing, the zoodles were less voluminous, so I repeated the process with the other two zucchini.

Fry pan filled with zoodles.

The idea is to eat less carbs, but I like bread too much to eliminate it completely. So, with that justification I can say, Dan was in charge of the garlic toast portion of our meal. He kept asking me when it would all be ready to which I kept replying that this was a learning experience.

At one point, I couldn’t find the “Gear” portion of the spiralizer. I looked all over the counter and stove area. I just had it! Where could it be? Soon enough, I found it – already in the spiralizer. With all this learning, Dan is getting hungry!

Once the zoodles were cooked, I combined the zoodles, the pasta sauce, and 16 of the precooked Italian meatballs. I sprinkled the Parmesan cheese on top, and put the casserole dish in the oven while the garlic toast baked. The idea was to heat everything a bit more. I would suggest about 10 minutes in the oven but being careful so as to not burn the Parmesan on top.

Cooked Meatball Zoodles casserole.

My “Meatball Zoodles” casserole was delicious! As Bill of “OntheRoadofRetirement” would say, Dan and I were members of the Clean Plate Club! One thing I would do differently is to try to treat the end of the zucchini, the part that gets pushed down the tube, a bit more humanely. Plus, I really don’t want to waste so much zucchini. Lastly, I think I could have gotten by with using less pasta sauce. Any spiralizing tips or recipes are more than welcome in the comments below.

I do have several more fabulous and exciting recipes in my mind to try with the spiralizer. You’ll just have to keep reading my blog to find out what they are! I also wonder if I can make the zoodles ahead of time and keep in the refrigerator for some amount of time before using. Perhaps I should purchase a hand held spiralizer to use in our travel trailer. Zoodles might be the perfect thing to make using our Micro Lite’s outdoor grill. Is it time to go camping yet?

Dinner plate with meatball zoodles casserole, garlic toast and a glass of water.
Dinner’s ready!

19 comments

  3. I’m glad this was fun and successful! Congratulations on you first zoodle casserole! I buy the pre-spiraled veggies in the store from time to time and enjoy cooking with them. They are a good substitute for pasta, although I love pasta. I had bought a spiral slicer at the grocer story for a big $8 – you get what you pay for! It was hard to use requiring three hands which I didn’t have and it was basically plastic. Like yours there were no instructions, I had to rely on the pictures on the box. I washed it up, put it in the box and gave it away. I am hoping to get the Kitchen Aid attachment, but in the meantime just buy them already cut. Thanks for sharing your experience and I hope to see some more yummy ideas soon!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • I like pasta, too, but this tasted excellent. And the texture was just fine, too. I hope you’ll write a post when you get the Kitchen Aid attachment. It would be interesting to see how it compares. I do hope to write some more posts with more yummy ideas. Fingers crossed things turn out okay! Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day tomorrow!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. What a wonderful and light hearted review. I had such fun reading it. Barb has tried making the zoodles in the past but I just can’t get all excited about them. I guess I like my pasta way too much. Glad you and Dan enjoyed them. Have a great day.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  6. To answer your last question first…yes it is. I am reading your blog while having a cup of coffee and enjoying a beautiful morning at a state park in north Florida.

    We have a spiralizer shoved somewhere in the far corner of a lower cabinet. That’s where it lives now that Grammi has found it more convenient to buy the prepackaged spiral noodles at the local grocery store. I’m betting with your sticktoitiveness you’ll get more use from your gadget than we did.

    The photo of your dish looks very appetizing and I’ll be sure to show it to Grammi. Thanks for the read. Have a great day.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    • A beautiful morning at a state park in north Florida sounds like paradise! We have about one month before our first trip. However, I do have to say it is sunny here with temps in the 50’s. I can hear the birds sing. It’s a good day! I haven’t seen the prepackaged spiral noodles at Aldi’s. Otherwise, I may never have bought the spiralizer! But yes, now that I’ve bought it, I will make good use of it. Although, I may look for the prepackaged version for use in our travel trailer. The meatball zoodles casserole was delicious – and once I made the zoodles – very easy and quick! Thanks for reading, and enjoy your day in north Flordia!

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