Who doesn’t love a warm bowl of freshly cooked noodles? The satisfying, hearty chew of an al dente pasta seems to feed you on an emotional level – it’s ultimate comfort food. But it’s hard to control your portions and can leave you feeling bloated and sluggish (especially if you’re gluten-phobic). I was thrilled to discover this carb-conscious alternative: spiralized veggies.
You can purchase a spiralizer for about $30-50. But if you’re like me and have zero time or patience to shop for, prep and crank out raw veggies, you have to try Hungry Root – “pasta” made from a single veggie ingredient (like carrot, rutabaga, turnip, sweet potato and celery) that comes with fancy (and delicious!) sauces like creamy cashew alfredo and toasted walnut pesto. It takes all of 5 minutes to prepare. Just sauté in olive oil, stir in the sauce and enjoy.
I’m obsessed with the Carrot Noodles with Tangy Sriracha Peanut sauce. It’s got a fresh, chewy crunch and spicy, nutty flavor. Had I eaten it blindfolded, I may have been convinced it was a traditional Thai-noodle dish. It’s that good. I paired it with some leftover grilled salmon for a complete meal. You can order online for $10 per package (serves 2), and you can add grilled chicken for just 2 bucks more.
The nutrition is impressive. Regular spaghetti pasta sets you back about 220 calories per cup, compared to just 50 calories in one cup of carrots. Plus, one serving is busting with beta-carotene, which helps maintain healthy skin and eyesight.
Nothing beats the real thing, but Hungry Root comes damn close.