Like many millennials, I fell deep into the spiralizer rabbit gap that was the mid-2010s. I invested in my very own counter-mounted software and started “voodleing” (vegetable-noodling) the whole lot from zucchini and carrots to candy potatoes and beets. I even tiptoed into the fruit class by spiralizing apples to remodel right into a twirlable apple crisp.
A pair years in, nonetheless, the luster of spiralizing started to fade. Slowly, I drifted again into roasting my greens or tossing them into salads. On the noodle entrance, I returned to my unique love: common pasta, with chickpea and lentil pasta sprinkled in occasionally once I was within the temper to combine issues up.
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That spiralizer remains to be taking on valuable actual property in my cupboard, however the plethora of already-spiralized veggie noodles which can be obtainable within the produce part and even in some freezer aisles has me teetering on the sting of “simply donate it already!” territory. And the already-spiralized vegetable noodle I lately found at Dealer Joe’s tops all of them: Dealer Joe’s Kohlrabi Vegetable Pasta.
What Is Kohlrabi, Precisely?
As we talked about in our information to six scrumptious vegetable swaps you need to attempt, kohlrabi is a cruciferous vegetable, making it a cousin of cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, arugula and bok choy. Kohlrabi is German for “cabbage turnip.” That translation may lead you to suppose that kohlrabi grows underground (like a turnip), however kohlrabi bulbs really develop above the highest of the soil.
The sturdy veggie is in season in late spring via fall, and it shops nicely. The bulb is in regards to the form and measurement of an orange, with tall stems and leaves rising out the highest (these are sometimes eliminated earlier than sale). Its thick pores and skin is both a light-weight inexperienced hue or purple. Its powerful pores and skin ought to be peeled earlier than consuming the tender-crisp white flesh beneath. The feel of that flesh, by the way in which, jogs my memory a little bit of broccoli stems, jicama or a crunchy apple.
Whereas I had loved kohlrabi in soups and salads and added it to a crudité platter, I hadn’t tried spiralizing it. Then I spied kohlrabi noodles within the produce part at Dealer Joe’s and picked up a bag.
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Why I Love Dealer Joe’s Kohlrabi Vegetable Pasta
I’m not gluten-free, so I’ve the entire traditional noodle choices as prospects, too. And sure, I write about meals and diet daily and nonetheless eat and luxuriate in a serving of full-carb common pasta and whole-wheat pasta pretty typically!
Nonetheless, as I discussed once I shared how I keep wholesome (and common) whereas flying a number of instances a month, I search out as many alternatives as potential to pack in further servings of greens. So these common pasta dishes typically function a serving or two of produce to assist my intestine well being and stability my blood sugar.
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On occasion, I additionally get pleasure from an much more vegetable-centric meal, like a hearty salad or a bountiful bowl of soup or stew. That is the place these kohlrabi noodles are available; they’re my new favourite fiber-filled base for a dressed-up “noodle” bowl. Past the cheap $3.99 worth and the truth that these can be found year-round at Dealer Joe’s, right here’s what I am keen on about this almost-instant meal-starter.
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They’re Filled with Vitamins
Whether or not it’s spiralized or not, kohlrabi is a diet powerhouse. In the event you purchase a bulb with the leaves nonetheless hooked up, you’ll be able to benefit from the leaves uncooked in salads or cooked like kale, chard or spinach. For the reason that veggie is primarily water, it’s low in energy and carbs. Every serving provides a decent quantity of fiber, plus a tiny little bit of protein and some vital minerals.
In the event you flip over the package deal of a bag of kohlrabi vegetable noodles, you’ll discover a considerable distinction from the diet info for typical pasta.
- Dealer Joe’s Kohlrabi Vegetable Pasta: Per 2-cup serving: 25 energy, 0 g whole fats, 1 g protein, 5 g carbs, 3 g fiber, 2 g whole sugars (0 g added sugars), 15 mg sodium, 300 mg potassium (6% Day by day Worth), 0.3 mg iron (2% DV), 20 mg calcium (2% DV)
- Dealer Joe’s Pappardelle Pasta: Per 2-oz. serving : 210 energy 1 g fats , 8 g protein, 43 g carbs, 2 g fiber, 0 g whole sugars, 5 mg sodium, 120 mg potassium (2% DV), 1.5 mg iron (8% DV)
Actual pasta nonetheless has its place. However, for those who observe a volumetrics-style eating regimen (the concept you prioritize consuming numerous nutrient-rich, low-calorie meals) or are in search of a easy method to combine extra greens into your meals, this kohlrabi pasta is a stellar choice. Even for those who eat the entire bag—which I’ve been identified to do if the kohlrabi is the muse of my dinner—it clocks in at about 90 energy and can add greater than 10 grams of fiber to your every day objective of 25 to 38 grams.
They Save Time
I often “steam” these within the microwave, which is tremendous fast. The again of the bag will stroll you thru the 2 really helpful choices for cooking, each of which take lower than 5 minutes:
- Microwave the unopened bag on excessive for 4 to five minutes. Fastidiously take away and slice open the bag.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium warmth. Add the kohlrabi noodles and sauté till tender, about 5 minutes.
Each of those strategies will prevent at the least a couple of minutes in comparison with cooking wheat pasta—even for those who’re aiming for al dente. In comparison with peeling and spiralizing the kohlrabi at house, the faster choice is a transparent winner. I’ll gladly commerce a few further {dollars} for an entire lot of comfort and fewer mess.
They’re Versatile
Choices abound when it comes time to place these noodles to make use of. As soon as they’re steamed or sautéed, they’re far much less watery than zucchini noodles, and I discover their gentle taste and tender-yet-sturdy texture to be much more adaptable. Tossing them with jarred marinara or pesto works nicely; I often add grilled shrimp, rooster or rinsed canned beans to pump up the protein. I’ve additionally loved them rather than the whole-wheat pasta in 25-Minute Peanut Noodles and Linguine with Ricotta Meatballs.
Backside Line
You probably have a Dealer Joe’s in your neighborhood and haven’t tried these kohlrabi noodles but, add them to your subsequent purchasing checklist. Even for those who’re not a fan of sometimes-watery zoodles, you’ll possible discover lots to like about this nutritious, extraordinarily versatile and easy-to-cook pasta swap.
