• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Inspiring Moms
  • For Moms
  • Parenting
  • Outdoors
  • Pregnancy
  • Gift Ideas

Mommy High Five

Celebrating Mothers One Story at a Time

You are here: Home / Gardening / Appliances / Spiral Slicers for Making Zoodles

Spiral Slicers for Making Zoodles

January 27, 2019 By Jillian

Great spiralizers for making vegetable noodles

One of the greatest things about summer is the availability of fresh produce.  Whether grown in your backyard or bought at the farmer’s market, nothing tastes better than earth-grown, sun-kissed, fresh-picked fruits and vegetables.

For Mother’s Day, my husband and kids gifted me a spiralizer, aka spiral slicer.  As one who loves new kitchen gadgets, I had been giving hints, and my husband finally figured it out (no, let’s be honest: I bought the thing myself and told him to give it to me).  Now we are starting to take some of that delicious, fresh summer produce and make fun and inventive dinners and dishes that both kids and adults will want to eat.

Table of Contents

Toggle
  • What Fruits and Vegetables Can I Use on the Spiralizer?
  • Six Great Spiralizer Options for Vegetables
    • OXO Good Grips Handheld Spiralizer
    • Prepworks by Progressive Easy Twist Spiralizer
    • Brieftons 7-Blade Spiralizer: Strongest-and-Heaviest Duty Vegetable Spiral Slicer
    • Mueller Spiral-Ultra Multi-Blade Spiralizer, 8 into 1 Spiral Slicer
    • Gourmia GS325 Electric Spiralizer & Veggie Pasta Maker
    • KitchenAid KSM1APC Spiralizer Attachment with Peel, Core and Slice
  • What Does a Spiralizer Do?
  • How Does a Spiral Slicer Work?
    • Beef Stroganoff with Butternut Squash
    • Final Thoughts

What Fruits and Vegetables Can I Use on the Spiralizer?

Spiralized-Vegetables-Zoodles
There are so many options of healthy foods you can use with a spiralizer.

The spiralizer works really well for any fruit or veggie that is firm enough to withstand the pressure of the blade.  For example, an apple works really well but a tomato would just make a mess.  The most popular food to spiralize is zucchini.  Zoodles, anyone?  It makes fabulous noodles that are so easy to replace in any spaghetti dish.  Other common fruits and vegetables to spiralize include: apples, pears, carrots, butternut squash, cucumbers, potatoes, sweet potatoes, cabbage, jicama, bell peppers, beets, rutabaga, onions, and parsnips.

As already mentioned, zucchini noodles work great as a substitute for pasta, as does butternut squash.  My husband has raved about the beef stroganoff I made using butternut squash instead of egg noodles (see recipe below).  He is wanting to lose weight and is very excited about switching out some of his daily carbs with fresh vegetables.  My young kids haven’t been too keen on eating my zoodles and meatballs (yet); however, replacing ordinary pasta with vegetable noodles may be a way to get your kids excited about eating more veggies.

The spiralizer is also a great tool that can be used every day for simple slicing tasks.  Want to make coleslaw?  Spiralize your cabbage in seconds. Want thinly sliced cucumber for a salad?  A cucumber ribbon will not only taste good but look beautiful.  Use the thick julienne blade to make curly fries and the ribbon blade to cut apples for an easy apple pie.  There are endless possibilities to the creative dishes you can make with your spiralizer and for your family.

Six Great Spiralizer Options for Vegetables

There are many different varieties of spiralizer–handheld vs. tabletop, manual vs. electric, etc.   When considering the veggie spiral slicer for you and your family, I think it best to consider ease of use, what foods you think you will be using it for, storage space and options, and quality of product.  From small and easy to big and hefty, the reviews below will help you decide which is the best spiralizer to buy.

OXO Good Grips Handheld Spiralizer

OXO Good Grips Handheld Spiralizer

Pros:

  • Compact and easy to use
  • Easy to clean
  • Easy and safe to store

Cons:

  • Doesn’t handle large foods well
  • Works best with soft foods

The most basic of the spiralizers, this handheld version is very compact and small.  Due to its size, it is very easy to use without having to figure out which piece goes where.  The Good Grips Spiral slicer cuts zucchini, cucumber, and potato curls easily.  Cleaning is a breeze, as it easily comes apart and can be placed in the top rack of the dishwasher.  The veggie grip becomes a lid and keeps this little gadget safe to store.

This OXO spiralizer no-frills version is small and takes minimal space.  However, as it is a manual device, your wrist may tire after spiralizing a large quantity of vegetables.  The tube is only so large and only the right size of vegetable will fit.

buy4

 

Prepworks by Progressive Easy Twist Spiralizer

Prepworks by Progressive Easy Twist Spiralizer

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Grips surface without suction
  • Use on table or directly over bowl

Cons:

  • Does not disassemble
  • Difficult to store safely
  • Does not work on all food

I find this spiralizer very simple to use.  The handle turns smoothly and is easy enough for my three-year-old to use (with supervision, of course).  I love that it sits on the table and is very easy to manage.  The feet grip the table, yet it is easy to move about the kitchen.  It is simple to switch between the three blades, and they are very sharp and work well, for both hard and soft foods.

Although a very basic machine, this spiralizer does not come apart.  If washing by hand, it is a little tricky to clean about the blade area.  For the same reason, it is a little difficult to store this device safely other than in a box.  While it cuts most food perfectly, the plastic food prongs do slip on some foods, causing the machine to not cut well.

buy4

Brieftons 7-Blade Spiralizer: Strongest-and-Heaviest Duty Vegetable Spiral Slicer

Brieftons 7-Blade Spiralizer

Pros:

  • 7 blades
  • Disassembles for safe storage
  • Easy to clean
  • Works well on large and hard vegetables

Cons:

  • Large to store
  • Slightly awkward to use

Brieftons has updated their latest model and now offers a seven-blade spiralizer.  While some feel that seven blades may seem superfluous, others enjoy the variety of cut options.  The greatest feature of this unit is that it can be disassembled for cleaning and all blades are encased for safe storage.  It is very easy and effortless to use.  It is of high quality, as evidenced by its ability as a spiral slicer to cut larger and harder vegetables.

While the gadget does store safely, it is still a bit bulky and will take up space in your cupboard or on your counter.  While all parts of the unit work well and are of good quality, the side handle used to advance the food forward can seem a bit awkward.
buy4

Mueller Spiral-Ultra Multi-Blade Spiralizer, 8 into 1 Spiral Slicer

Mueller Spiral-Ultra Multi-Blade Spiralizer

Pros:

  • Easy to clean and store
  • Suctions to table or counter
  • Bowl to catch food
  • Heavy duty spiral slicer

Cons:

  • Bowl/food catch is small
  • Comes unassembled
  • Takes some practice

The Mueller spiralizer is different in that it has a vertical rather than horizontal design.  This allows for simplicity as the user pushes down instead of sideways to advance the food.  The four blades and extra attachments help this unit to serve as multifunctioning.  It disassembles for easy cleaning and storage.

You have to assemble the unit before using it, so first-time use can be tricky if not assembled correctly.  Also, the instructions are lacking and are unclear.  The unit is easy to use after some practice and correct assembly.

buy4

Gourmia GS325 Electric Spiralizer & Veggie Pasta Maker

Gourmia GS325 Electric Spiralizer

Pros:

  • Quick work with minimal effort
  • Bowl to catch food
  • Easy to clean

Cons:

  • Takes some practice
  • Poorly written instruction manual

This electric spiralizer does a lot of work with minimal effort.  The machine will work for you as your fruits and vegetables are spiralized in seconds.  The large 5 cup capacity bowl means there is no mess and easy clean up.

The unit comes with three blades which allow you to make spaghetti, fettuccine, and ribbon style veggie noodles. From curly fries to zoodles, the Gourmia will not disappoint!

KitchenAid KSM1APC Spiralizer Attachment with Peel, Core and Slice

KitchenAid KSM1APC Spiralizer Attachment

Pros:

  • Easy to store
  • Works quickly
  • Cuts large and hard foods well

Cons:

  • Must have KitchenAid mixer to use
  • Some food waste
  • More expensive

The KitchenAid spiralizer attachment will not only spiralize, but also core and peel your vegetable as well.  Firmer vegetables work best and the machine makes light work of foods.  The attachment and blades have their own case, making storage easy.

You must have a KitchenAid mixer in order to use the spiralizer attachment. It can get a bit messy if a bowl is not used to catch the spirals and peels as they fall from the machine. Be prepared to spend a little bit more for this spiralizer and the mixer if you do not already have one.

buy4

What Does a Spiralizer Do?

The spiralizer is a handheld or small tabletop spiral slicer that cuts and spins vegetables into thin ribbons or julienned noodles.  Most Spiralizers come with three basic blades (the thin julienne, thick julienne, and ribbons) and may include additional blades, and are either manual or electric.

How Does a Spiral Slicer Work?

To prepare your food for the spiralizer, wash all fruits and vegetables properly, and, if desired, peel any foods necessary.  The spiralizer will include the peel in the curls if left on, so if you do not want the peel, remove it beforehand.  Many spiral slicers will instruct you to cut a flat end to your fruit or vegetable so that sits better in the machine.  Follow the specific instructions for your machine to spiralize your food.

Simply center your vegetable on the nob at the blade end of the machine and push the handle forward until it grips the other end of the vegetable.  Using a circular motion and applying slight pressure, turn the handle and advance the vegetable forward.  As the vegetable turns and advances, the blade will cut, or spiralize, the vegetable, leaving you with beautiful, long curls.

You may then eat your spiralized creations raw, sautéed, boiled, baked, fried, or any way you please.

Beef Stroganoff with Butternut Squash

1 pound ground hamburger (or meatballs)Vegetable Noodles and Beef Stroganoff
1 small white onion, chopped
6-10 small white mushrooms, sliced
1/4 teaspoon paprika
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
Salt to taste
1 teaspoon beef bouillon paste
3/4 cup sour cream
1 cup milk
1/2 cup half and half
1 Tablespoon cornstarch
1/4 cup cold milk
1 small butternut squash, peeled, seeded, and cut into ribbons with the spiralizer
Cook ground hamburger in frying pan on medium heat. While meat still slightly pink, add onions and mushrooms. Sauté until vegetables are soft. Add paprika, pepper, salt, and bouillon paste. Stir to distribute. Reduce heat to medium low. Add sour cream, 1 cup milk, and half and half. Allow to reach slow boil. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and 1/4 cup milk to make a slurry. Slowly add slurry to pan while mixing to thicken sauce.
Bring a pot of water to boil. Add butternut squash ribbons and cook until fork tender. Drain. Serve sauce on top of squash for a delicious, no carb dinner.

Final Thoughts

Spiralizers are a great way to get your family eating healthier this summer.  Consider if the kids will be helping and what types of foods you will be eating, as well as how you will store the gadget and the quality of the overall product.  For an electric spiralizer, we recommend the KitchenAid Spiralizer Attachment. We recommend the Briefton 7-Blade Spiralizer for a manual spiral cutter.

Now, get the kids in the kitchen and get spiralizing!

For another heathy eating option check out our best budget food dehydrators or kitchen hydroponic kits.

Related Posts:

  • Best Toy Kitchens
    Top 14 Toy Kitchens for Young Boys and Girls 2023
  • Best Toys 2 Year old Girls
    Great Gifts for 2-Year-Old Girls 2023
  • Gifts 2 Year Old Boys
    29 Best Gifts and Toys for 2-Year-Old Boys in 2023
Facebooktwitterredditpinterest

Filed Under: Appliances, For Moms, Garden, Gardening, Gift Ideas, Gluten-Free, Kitchen, Top Rated

Primary Sidebar

Why trust Mommy High Five?

Mommy High Five reviewers are mothers and some grandmothers who have experience in parenting and children’s products. Whenever possible, products are purchased and tested for reviews.

FOLLOW US

Facebookpinterestrssyoutubeinstagram

Mommy High Five writers and editors carefully select products highlighted in articles. We may receive a commission if you click on a link and make a purchase.

Trending Articles

  • Best Black Friday Deals for Teenagers and Pre-Teens
  • 9 Fun Family Christmas Traditions to Help Children Find Meaning
  • Prime Day Deals for Teens and Tweens
  • 18 Good Budget Digital Cameras for Teens and Tweens 2023
  • Best Stocking Stuffers for Teen Girls
  • Best Funny Secret Santa Gifts for Co-Workers
  • 17 Best Action Cameras for Teens and Tweens 2023
  • Baby Shower Must Have Items
  • Stocking Stuffers for Young Girls
  • Great Kitchen Gadget Christmas Gift Ideas

Share This Page

Facebooktwitterredditpinterest

© 2015–2025 • Mommy High Five • All Rights Reserved. MommyHighFive.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.