Noodle Alternatives
 

This year I was on a diet and have been exploring alternatives to traditional pasta noodles. So far I have three favorites: Palmini hearts of palm noodles (comes in four varieties I thing, though I usually go for angel hair; the lasagna noodles are good too and that was the first time I ever experienced them), Gefen hearts of palm noodles (cheaper than Palmini but nearly as good, I get the spaghetti variety), and today I just tried Konjac noodles for the first time. The brand is "Hethstia" and they taste like those chewy Asian noodles you get at a restaurant, and an entire package (two servings) is 12 calories!

Unfortunately all of these are more expensive than traditional noodles, but I don't eat them so often that it is a problem (yet). I am curious if anyone else has their own favorites or recommendations. I definitely want to try more of the Konjac noodle brands.

-J.

Have you tried making veggie spirals yourself?

I have not, but I have tried zucchini spiral noodles both purchased from the supermarket (made fresh) or made by a family member. I enjoyed them both times. I know tools exist to do this but I don't think I like zucchini enough to get one.

-J.

I don't know why you couldn't do it with hearts of palm at home. I haven't tried it, but don't see why not.

Are you guys using these like you would regular pasta? Like in tomato or Alfredo type things? I don't like zucchini or other noodles I have tried . It is the texture that is most of the turn off for me. I can't stand spaghetti squash. I love pasta but has anyone found a noodle that really passes for pasta?
A hand held spiralizer is very cheap and works for any hard veggie.

I have used the hearts of palm pasta in the same ways as normal pasta; in fact my mom made lasagna with it once which is what introduced me to the concept. When prepared correctly (cleaned well and boiled for around 10 minutes) I find it is pretty good. The konjac noodles are very similar to the glutinous Chinese noodles and I'm excited to experiment with those.

-J.

I have a spiralizer and have worked it on sweet potato, zucchini and winter squash. It’s not pasta but it’s good. I tried using beets but they don’t go with red sauce and I couldn’t figure out what did go on them other than butter.

Who cleans pasta?? And how?

You just need to rinse it since it comes from a bag/can (the palm and konjac ones, at least).

-J.

I tried the stuff that comes in the bag. I thought it was slimy and tasteless. That’s too big a price to pay for virtually zero calories.

The slimy part is exactly what I am afraid of.

Like licking a frog. Without the hallucinations.

ROFL!

But with hallucinogenic effects, GW McLintock wouldn't know/care that its a pasta/noodle alternative.

David

Its been many decades, but I don’t remember hallucinations ever coming with an appetite. I think that probably saved my life as who knows what I might have tried to eat.