Zucchini Noodles, or Zoodles- are they really satisfying?

[Anonymous]

I just read an article in the Post about the Whole30 diet and am inspired to start making zucchini noodles to appease my pasta cravings. Are they really as satisfying as pasta? Tell me about your experiences with Zoodles, please!! Thanks

[Anonymous]

I don't know about zoodles but spaghetti squash didn't do it for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I don't know about zoodles but spaghetti squash didn't do it for me.

+1. I just tried spaghetti squash the other night, and it wasn't like spaghetti at all. It just tasted and had a texture like squash. If I wanted pasta, I'd not be happy with spaghetti squash.

[Anonymous]

Zucchini noodles definitely fill my craving for pasta and my kids love it too.

[Anonymous]

16:05 here. I did like spaghetti squash, but it didn't satisfy by craving for carbs/pasta. Maybe I didn't make it well since it was my first try.

[Anonymous]

I love zoodles and spaghetti squash. It isn't so much about the squash as it is about the sauce and the meat. I made a spaghetti squash with sauce, chicken, and cheese. Almost like a chicken parm, but with spaghetti squash. Dh loved it! It kept me full for the rest of the night.

[Anonymous]

It really depends on the sauce. I've used them with a tomato based meat sauce and found it very satisfying. In a dish like fettuccine Alfredo, not so much. They were time consuming, though, especially considering the yield. Don't use the part with seeds.

[Anonymous]

I've done a fettuccini noodle from eggplant (alton brown) and was very satisfied. I would think zoo does are similar

[Anonymous]

I love the zoodles, but you also have to accept that they are NOT going to replace pasta 100%. You have to like them for what they are.

I find the trick is to just very quickly sauté them until warm and serve them, or, I serve them raw but pho-style immersed in broth. This keeps more of he satisfying substance. If you overCook them, you're not going to like them as much.

Again, they do seem to do better in a tomato sauce, but I do a dish with avocado pesto and it's amazing.

Butternut squash, beets and carrots also make awesome "noodles" . Again, the real trick is to very quickly steam or sauté so you keep the firm texture.

[Anonymous]

The point is to reduce carbohydrate intake. So the "satisfaction" you get from pasta (i.e. flooding your system with a high glycemic food) is not going to be the same as from a low carb meal featuring zoodles or spag squash. The satisfaction you'll get from zoodles is from adding flavorful, rich sauces or meats.

I eat a very low carb diet and enjoy zoodles once in a while. Its not like pasta at all to me, just another interesting thing to add to the dinner mix.

[Anonymous]

I love zucchini noodles with pesto! I think spaghetti squash is best served with a thai sauce.

[Anonymous]

Ok thanks everyone! I realize they aren't going to be "quite" the same as pasta, but I'm looking for something healthy and interesting to add to the dinner mix that might also be fun to make with my toddler, so I think this will fit the bill Thanks again for the input!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It really depends on the sauce. I've used them with a tomato based meat sauce and found it very satisfying. In a dish like fettuccine Alfredo, not so much. They were time consuming, though, especially considering the yield. Don't use the part with seeds.

If you have a spiralizer, it takes no time at all. I can do a zucchini, including cleanup in probably 2 minutes.