Video: How To Avoid Half Moons when Spiralizing + St. Patrick’s Day Recipe Roundup

We’ve all been there. We’re spiralizing and then we look down and see that all...

Video: How To Avoid Half Moons when Spiralizing + St. Patrick's Day Recipe Roundup

We’ve all been there. We’re spiralizing and then we look down and see that all we’re left with is a few long noodles and the rest are half moon circles.

It’s the most frustrating thing when you’re spiralizing and frankly, can feel like a waste of a vegetable!

Well, fear no more: today, I have a video showing you TWO simple tricks that will ban those half moon shaped noodles foreverrrrrrrr.

And I also have a St. Patrick’s Day recipe roundup for you, for those who swear by the luck of the Irish/want to eat lots of green foods to celebrate this festive holiday!

But most importantly, let’s learn how to avoid those half moon shaped noodles when spiralizing. And I posted this video late afternoon yesterday, and if you were subscribed to our YouTube channel, you would’ve already received an alert when it went live. To receive alerts, click here to subscribe to the channel!

St. Patrick’s Day Recipe Roundup

Here are some green-friendly recipes that will work well for your St. Patrick’s Day festivities!

1. Chicken and Okra with Basil Feta Pesto Zucchini Pasta

Chicken and Okra with Basil Feta Pesto Zucchini Pasta

2. Spring Zucchini Pasta with Peas, Leeks & Watercress

Spring Zucchini Pasta with Peas, Leeks & Watercress

3. Peas and Pesto Potato Noodles

Peas and Pesto Potato Noodles

4. Potato Noodle and Green Bean Salad with Chive-Dijon Vinaigrette

Potato Noodle and Green Bean Salad with Chive-Dijon Vinaigrette

5. Mint Pesto Zucchini Pasta with Goat Cheese

Mint Pesto Zucchini Pasta with Goat Cheese

6. Spiralized Sesame Cucumber and Zucchini Bowl with Avocado

Spiralized Sesame Cucumber and Zucchini Bowl with Avocado

7. Zucchini Linguine with Green Olive Sauce and Zesty Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs

Zucchini Linguine with Green Olive Sauce and Zesty Gluten-Free Breadcrumbs

8. Easy Coconut Green Curry with Zucchini Noodles

Easy Coconut Green Curry with Zucchini Noodles

9. Vegan Creamy Ginger-Coconut Kale Zucchini Spaghetti

Vegan Creamy Ginger-Coconut Kale Zucchini Spaghetti

10. Pesto Turnip and Broccoli Rice with Poached Egg

Pesto Turnip and Broccoli Rice with Poached Egg

 

with love, Ali

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comments

  • Any suggestions for all the moisture in the zucchini? Dishes turn out to watery sometimes even after draining. Thank you .
    • Yes, I have a video on that: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mILFcumUbuk
    • Always transfer to paper towels or cheese cloth to gently squeeze out the water. Then plate and serve. Enjoy!!
  • What brand of spiralizer do you use?
    • Inspiralized has their own spiralizer and I've tried 2 others prior to purchasing Ali's and would not recommend anything else. You can buy it on this site over at shop: https://inspiralized.com/store/ or on Amazon. Check out the Amazon reviews if you're skeptical. :) http://www.amazon.com/Inspiralizer%C2%AE-Official-vegetable-spiralizer-Inspiralized%C2%AE/dp/B01BE77QL8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1458141451&sr=8-2&keywords=inspiralized
    • She has her own, it's called The Inspiralizer and it's awesome! You can get it on this site or Amazon now
  • I love this!! I get so impatient sometimes and just crank it out, without adjusting for long noodles. Awesome video Ali!
  • Thanks. . .that helps with a frustrating issue. I'm also having trouble with the inspiralizer not staying clamped down--the clamps were one of the reasons I was so excited to get it, but they don't seem to work for me any better than the suction cups on my old spiralizer. Any handy hints for this? P.S. Yummy looking recipes today!
    • I have the same issue. I'm looking into the spiralizer attachment for my kitchen aid to use at home and in my classroom.
    • Are you using a flat surface. My counter top is not completely flat so I have to use my table. The suction works great there.
      • Yes! We always advise to spiralize on a flat, clean surface!
      • Thanks, I'll try that.
    • Yes! Be sure to press down firmly on the center of the your unit while you are clamping to a clean, flat surface! This will ensure the strongest hold.
    • I have an old formica countertop and the spiralizer was also moving a little. I solved it by pressing down firmly when clamping BUT what also helped was dampening the clamping/suction area. It never moves now.
      • Thanks!
    • I have a textured countertop and nothing sticks to it. I have a glass top stove and a glass top dining table. If I don't feel like holding down the spiralizer and wrestling with it, I either use the stove or the table. I'm considering permanently attaching it to a baking sheet and putting a non skid backing on the sheet.
  • Just the info I needed. Thank you, Ali. Recently received my Inspiralizer (LOVE it) and have been getting half-moons and Life-saver-looking little round noodles. Kinda figured out it was because my zucchini were too small. My local markets pride themselves on selling small, tender zucchini, but not good for zoodles!
  • I would call those crescents, as opposed to half-moons:)
  • This video helps a lot as I was wondering why I was having all the half moons. Seem so obvious now. Thanks much!
  • How can I get the free inspiralizer starter guide? I already receive the newletter. Thanks.
  • Great video Ali. I get the half moons but I have tried your remedies before and I can say they do work. Thanks for the video anyway.
  • Hi, love your website. Couple of questions - can you spiralize raw beets? Also will it stain my spiralizer machine doing this. Any videos on this subject? Many thanks.
    • Yes, you can find a how to spiralize beets video here - and as long as you clean your spiralizer right away it won't stain! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OH1fQJteeGw
  • THANK you, Ali! This has been my frustration!!! Now, problem solved.
  • Hi! Apologies if you have received this question already, but my inspiralizer is stuck on one blade, and I am unable to turn the knob to switch blades. Have others run into this issue? Any tips? Thanks!
  • Super great video! You are always so professional. Loving this blog since the beginning!
  • Hi! I watched your "What I Ate Today" video Episode 7 and I would like to make the rutabaga noodles like you did (with the turkey meatballs and sauce). Can you tell me what temp to set the oven, AND, how long to bake them? Just got my Spiralizer and this is the first thing I wanted to try. Anxious to hear back. Thanks so much, Cathy
  • Hi! I watched your "What I Ate Today" video, Episode 7 and I would like to make the rutabaga noodles like you did (with the turkey meatballs and sauce). Can you tell me what temp to set the oven, and how ong to bake them? I just got my Spiralizer and this is the first thing I wanted to try. Anxious to hear back! Thanks so much, Cathy
  • Just got my Spiralizer. The zucchini worked great. I had seen a video, somewhere, about spiraling cabbage for slaw. It looked easy - mine didn't work at all. Not sure what blade to use. It didn't cut a thing and started twisting out the back of the cabbage. What am I doing wrong?
  • Quick question. In your video about half moons you mention the vegetable should be 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. I have just used my Spiralizer on Zucchini to date but what about carrots or parsnips that are probably not that big?