Just about everyone seems to be making zucchini noodles these days; blame the Paleo diet. Since the majority of recipes call for a spiralizer, we immediately began looking for alternatives because we always try to save money and valuable kitchen cabinet space.
It seemed too good to be true when numerous websites advised using a regular cheese grater. We began daydreaming about the pasta-abilities (sorry, had to): zucchini noodles with pesto; faux-spaghetti and meatballs; cucumber noodles with cherry tomatoes, feta, and olives for a heartier Greek salad!
The grater does produce 2- to 3-inch strands of zucchini, but the noodles, or “zoodles,” as some people call them, were limp and wet. Basically, far from appetizing, and nowhere near the real thing. You will only be dissatisfied if you attempt to use the strands as pasta. They would be ideal for forming into zucchini fritters and frying.
It might be worth trying if you have a grater with extra-large holes. If not, using a spiralizer might yield the best results.
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In addition to writing, editing, and producing lifestyle content, Candace Braun Davison is adamantly pursuing the most noble of causes: the search for the best chocolate chip cookie in the entire world.
Tools of the Zucchini Noodle Trade
Almost any vegetable can be spiralized into long, thin strands that resemble noodles using specialized equipment. However, you don’t need a tabletop spiralizer to make zucchini into noodles. We’ll show you how to make zucchini noodles at home using a mandoline, a julienne peeler, or a handheld spiralizer.
A spiralizer is undoubtedly the best tool for the job if you have space to store a small piece of kitchen equipment and you’ll be making veggie noodles frequently. Both large and small zucchini, as well as other vegetables like cucumbers, beets, carrots, and even broccoli stalks, can be spiralized.
Care for your spiralizer: 3 Tips for Cleaning Your Spiralizer
Although there are a few different types of these small spiralizers, most of them have a very small footprint in comparison to their larger counterparts. Because most of these handheld spiralizers have a small opening for spiralizing, they work best with smaller vegetables.
A vegetable peeler with Y-shaped blades known as a “julienne peeler” slices the vegetables as it removes the skin. When noodling robust vegetables like sweet potatoes and carrots, they aren’t quite as strong and need more muscle. Remember that a mandoline and a peeler will produce straight vegetable noodles rather than curly ones.
We use mandolines, a crucial kitchen tool, to slice foods into a variety of cuts. Many of them are flat, so their compact design makes storing them simple. Although most mandolines have a julienne blade you can attach for more spaghetti-like noodles, I love using one to make zucchini noodles that resemble lasagna. One of our favorite mandolines is the Benriner, and you can frequently find one there for less money than online.
You can use the same Y-shaped vegetable peeler to make wide, thin noodles that resemble pappardelle, so just so you know, vegetable peelers are great for more than just peeling those russet potatoes for dinner. After cutting off the ends, lengthwise slice a side of the zucchini. Then, delicately run the peeler along the zucchini’s length to obtain thin slices.
Vegetable Peelers We Love
A good and trustworthy (and sharp!) kitchen knife is always a good option for making zucchini noodles at home, especially if you’re not looking to buy any specialized equipment. It’s arguably the most versatile tool in your kitchen. Slice off the ends of the zucchini and then cut it into thin planks lengthwise to create zucchini noodles. Like shoestring fries, slice the planks into very thin sticks.
Kitchen Knives We Love:
Making zucchini noodles at home may seem difficult, but with the right equipment, it’s simple. Sadly, there isn’t a universal tool that could create any kind of lengthy “pasta.” However, if you possess at least a couple of the following, you will undoubtedly be able to create a variety of shapes and sizes.
Although it’s not my preferred method, you can cut zucchini with a knife to make noodles. However, you can also slice a whole zucchini with a knife. Ideally, you would just use a knife to cut already-sliced zucchini into narrower strips. A sharp chefs knife works the best in this case.
This technique for preparing zucchini noodles is perfect for thin soup noodles like angle hair, capellini, or vermicelli. Because the blanched zoodles will release moisture as soon as you remove them from the water (or broth), I advise using the above technique if you intend to toss the noodles with sauces rather than using them in soup.
Large and small zucchini, as well as other vegetables like cucumbers, beets, carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and even broccoli stalks, work well when spiralized. Making your preferred vegetable noodles, curly fries, or chips is simple thanks to the interchangeable blades that come with spiralizers.
Because they overcook easily and quickly lose their al dente bite, really thin noodles like angel hair, capellini, or vermicelli are ideal for this technique. Noodles should be placed in a colander, salted, and allowed to sit for five to ten minutes to slightly soften (and drain) the excess moisture. Next, gently squeeze the zucchini with your hands to release more moisture. Don’t keep pressing the noodles to squeeze out every last drop; otherwise, the noodles will become lifeless. Getting most moisture out is just fine.
TURKEY AND QUINOA STUFFED ZUCCHINI BOATS
The recipe for Turkey and Quinoa Stuffed Zucchini Boats is the first on this list of suggested zucchini recipes.
This recipe is not only delicious but also ideal for a weeknight dinner. Additionally, because the boats reheat really well, you can prepare more boats than you can eat at one meal and enjoy them as a make-ahead dinner during the week. Get the recipe.
FAQ
How do you shred zucchini for noodles?
The grater does produce 2- to 3-inch strands of zucchini, but the noodles, or “zoodles,” as some people call them, were limp and wet. Basically, far from appetizing, and nowhere near the real thing.
Can you use a cheese grater for zoodles?
Without a spiralizer, you can still make zucchini noodles. Use a vegetable peeler. Utilizing a vegetable peeler, lightly peel the zucchini’s sides. You’ll end up with wide, fettuccine-like slices.
How do you make zucchini noodles without a spiralizer?
To complete the task, you can make use of a mandoline, a cheap handheld spiralizer, a potato peeler, or even a box grater.