Why spiralisers are putting us in a spin

Does this gadget deserve a space in your kitchen cupboard?

We all love a sexy kitchen gadget and spiralisers have been putting the foodie world in a spin for a while now. But with a top-of-the-range electric model costing anything up to $200, is this an appliance worth finding space in your kitchen for? Let’s find out.

As the name suggests, a spiraliser is a tool that enables you to cut fruit or veggies into spirals. They first gained popularity because of their nifty ability to turn zucchini into noodles (or zoodles, as they’ve been dubbed), a nutritious and gluten-free alternative to pasta.

But you’d be missing a trick if you just use them for zucchini. A spiraliser can turn all manner of fruit and veggies into spirals and other shapes (depending on the model you’ve got) which can be added to soups, salads, stews, smoothies and other dishes that don’t begin with an s. And, if you’ve got fussy kids, a plateful of colourful veggie spirals might be the trick to persuade them to eat their greens. Well, maybe.

What type of spiraliser should I buy?

There are three main options to consider:

• Hand-held. This entry-level option is the cheapest of the bunch and often comes with a fixed-blade. They need more effort to twist in a pencil-sharpener fashion than other options.
• Benchtop: Usually come with interchangeable blades to cut different thicknesses and work by manually cranking a handle.
• Electric: Top-of-the-range for price and variety of blades but require the least effort by the user.

As to which is best for you, as well as budget, consider how often and what you’ll be using it for. There’s no point buying the Rolls-Royce of spiralisers if you only take it out for a spin once a year.

What can I use it for?

How long’s a piece of string (or a zoodle?) And, while we’re talking zucchini, why not use your spiralizer to make zoodle pad thai or Mexican chicken zucchini noodles?
Also:

• Spiralise some sweet potato to make healthy curly fries or turn white potatoes into fried potato nests.
• Use spiralised carrot to make a zesty Moroccan salad or grilled fish tacos with citrus slaw.
• Take the effort out of homemade coleslaw by combining spiralised green and red cabbage with carrot and dressing.
• Turn butternut pumpkin (or squash as our British and American cousins call it) into another vegetarian alternative to pasta or noodles. Consider combining spiralised pumpkin and red onion to make mini frittatas.

Where to buy a spiraliser?

Spiralisers are available in kitchenware stores (such as What’s Cooking? and Williams Sonoma) and department stores. A basic handheld model is also available at Woolies (there’s a Woolworths Metro at Chatswood Interchange).

And finally…

Take care using your spiralisers as the blades are razor sharp and most have exposed blades during operation. Using common-sense is key!