Spiralizing vegetables has become a popular food trend for those seeking low-carb, vegetarian, gluten-free or Mediterranean diets. It is a great way to substitute flavorful and nutritious veggies such as carrots and butternut squash for carb-rich pasta, rice or plain potatoes.
Carrots are a fantastic choice for spiralizing. Their naturally sweet flavor makes for delicious sides, salads and accents for a main dish. Read on to find out the best gear for the job, tips for success as well as some inspirational dish ideas.
Find the Right Spiralizer
One of the tricks to being able to spiralize carrots is to make sure you have the right gear for the job. Carrots have a hard flesh that not all spiralizers are going to be able to penetrate.
These models will be tough enough without breaking the budget:
Mueller Spiral-Ultra Multi-Blade Manual Spiralizer
This manual spiralizer by Mueller is strong enough to make quick work of carrots. The gravity fed design of this model means you will need less strength to make it though the hard flesh of carrots. It is easy to use, even for a beginner.
The built-in container makes collecting the spirals a breeze. If you are going for a cool salad recipe, you can just add the ingredients right to the bowl which is handy. The 420-grade stainless steel blades are designed to last and give you slicing, shredding, and spiralizing capabilities.
Aicok 2-Blade Electric Spiralizer
If you are planning to do a lot of spiralizing in the near future or have weaker wrists or arthritis, you may want to invest in an electric spiralizer for carrots and other vegetables. This popular model is perfect for spiralizing carrots in a hurry!
The small profile of this spiralizer makes it a great choice for kitchens with limited storage and counter space. It has machine washable blades for easy cleanup, and a convenient 1.5-liter bowl to neatly collect your spirals. A 2-year manufacturer guarantee lets you buy with confidence.
Choose the Right Carrots
Peel your carrot before spiralizing.
Spiralizers work by cutting long strips away from the vegetable, leaving a core behind. Since carrots are very narrow, you will want to be sure to
choose carrots that are as fat as you can find them so there will be less waste.
Of course, nice crisp carrots are the freshest. Be on the look out for a surplus of small white roots sprouting from carrots in the bag. This is a sign that carrots are a little past their prime, which will make them taste less sweet.
Be sure to save the cores after you are done spiralizing. If you are not in the mood for carrot sticks, you can dice them up and freeze for later use in soups or stews.
This works just the same if you are wondering how to spiralize small carrots.
Should You Peel Carrots?
Deciding whether or not to peel before spiralizing is a matter of personal choice. Some folks are more sensitive than others to the sometimes slightly bitter taste of the skin on carrots. Others appreciate the addition of the slightly earthy flavor.
Make sure that if you do not peel, you take the time to carefully wash your carrots before spiralizing. Pesticides tend to be most concentrated on the outside of root vegetables. Of course, if you go organic, you can avoid that risk all together.
Spiralized Carrot Pasta Recipes
Roasted Carrot Noodles
Roasted carrots with cumin
If you have not yet tried roasted carrots, you definitely should. The natural sugars in this nutritious root veggie take on a rich depth of flavor when they caramelize from roasting. The variations on this simple side are endless. Add your favorite fresh herbs and spices to take this dish in a direction that will compliment your main course.
- Spiralize 1 pound of carrots.
- Toss in 2 tablespoons of your favorite cooking oil.
- Add herbs, spices, grated garlic, salt, pepper, and other flavorings of your choice.
- Roast in a sealed foil pocket for 10 minutes at 375°
- Open the foil and continue roasting for 10-15 minutes, or until lightly
Spiralized Carrot Salad Recipe
When you spiralize carrots, you get a texture with a bit more bite than regular grated carrots, which makes a spectacular base for a cool salad.
Try dressing your carrot spirals with:
- Asian style peanut-soy dressing and toasted chopped peanuts.
- Mediterranean flavors of extra virgin olive oil, feta cheese, fresh oregano, roasted garlic and balsamic vinegar.
- Americana style with mayo, crushed pineapple and
- French inspired with a classic vinaigrette made from minced shallot, EVOO, Dijon mustard, a pinch of salt and pepper and a dash of lemon juice.
