Anyone purchased one of those spiral cut vegetable devices ("spiralizers")?

[hlthe2b]

I've been low carb dieting for more than a year and thought that spiral cut zucchini or yellow squash might really be a great idea for my pasta cravings as produce season arrives...

But looking on Amazon, it appears there are two types (including one major type, apparently sold by infomercial) and the reviews are cluttered with what appears to be seller proxy (paid), overly exuberant reviews versus quite a few saying they really only mangle the vegetables... So, I thought I would see if anyone has actually tried any of these before I clutter my cabinets with yet another kitchen tool that doesn't work--LOL:
OR

[Erich Bloodaxe BSN]

1. Do you not like spaghetti squash?

It's easy to prepare and is a great substitute for spaghetti in my books.

[hlthe2b]

4. Thats a thought--easier too

[Warpy]

10. It's got a very squash-y flavor

so make sure whatever you sauce it with is aggressively seasoned.

The texture is what makes it a good substitute.

I have a solar oven so I don't even have to heat up the kitchen when I bake it.

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Instead of cheaply made plastic,

you might consider the sturdy dependable meat grinders of yesterday.
They are made of steel and/or aluminum, and some are less than 20.00.
I found a bunch of them on this Etsy page:
https://www.etsy.com/search/vintage?q=meat+grinder&ship_to=US&vintage_rewrite=vintage+meat+grinder&original_query=2&orig_facet=

My grandmother used these, I have used them. They usually come with several sized grinding discs, from fine to large output.

Hard vegies like carrots, squash can be used.
etsy is a very reliable site, in my experience.

[hlthe2b]

5. Yes.. My Mom had one years ago

Not sure whatever happened ti it. Will check out the listings

[adirondacker]

3. If you have a Kitchenaid mixer, I'd highly recommend their attachment...

http://www.amazon.com/KitchenAid-RVSA-Slicer-Shredder-Attachment/dp/B00004SGFP/ref=sr_1_7/192-0289242-8550376?s=kitchen&ie=UTF8&qid=1397316758&sr=1-7

If you don't own a Kitchenaid, It's probably one of the best investments you can make as far as appliances.

Otherwise, you can always resort to using a peeler (it's what I use for small portions).

http://www.amazon.com/Rada-Cutlery-R132-Vegetable-Aluminum/dp/B000HEIRWW/ref=sr_1_8?s=home-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1397316911&sr=1-8&keywords=potato+peeler

My vote is no to the advertised gadget.

[hlthe2b]

6. I wish i did...

[adirondacker]

7. Moving / garage sales in a higher end area might be the best place to pick one up cheap.

If I come across one I'll grab it for ya. Ebay is another option

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KitchenAid-KSM150PSER-Artisan-5-Quart-Stand-Mixer-EMPIRE-RED-NICE-/380881557090?pt=Small_Kitchen_Appliances_US&hash=item58ae4f5662

If I had the option, I would pick up the higher end one though. I own a commercial Hobart 5 qt and it will definitely outlast me.

[Warpy]

11. Most cooks say you'll have to pry the Kitchenaid from their cold, dead hands

so don't count on yard sales. Estate sales are a little better and Craigslist will occasionally turn up one on sale by a lucky bride who got two as wedding presents.

There's also an outlet store, http://www.kitchenaid.com/shop/more-ways-to-shop-1/outlet-3/102020231/

I have the bottom of the line from Wally's, 18 years old and going strong mostly mixing bread dough. You can have it when you pry it out of my cold, dead hands.

[adirondacker]

13. I'm talkin ' bout the 10%er's that use them as countertop ornaments.

Stainless is so 00's

[pscot]

8. I doubt I'd use it enough

to justify the space it would occupy. We use a mandoline fairly frequently, and using a knife to julienne veggies is probably quicker than setup and cleanup would be with that gadget.

[flamin lib]

9. I have something similar to this

Mine has a rotating blade for simple peeling, fine shredding and a more coarse shred (similar to spaghetti size). Cheap and it works well enough. Problem with zucchini is only the outer layer can be shredded as the seeds just fall apart. Makes a mean carrot cucumber and jichma salad with sesame oil/soy sauce dressing.

[fizzgig]

12. that looks handy

i'm very interested in that.

[murpheeslaw]

14. You have to use small zucchini

If you get the small ones (1" -1 1/2" DIAMETER) the seeds are immature and the "meat" of the zucchini is more homogeneous and will hold together better during sauteing. I use a mandolin to make 1/8" ribbons then use a knife to finish the cut into fettuccine like strips. I usually saute them in a hot frying pan with a good spritz of pam and a LIGHT sprinkle of Cavender's Greek Seasoning (the salt will concentrate as the "noodles" cook down. They are done (for me) when they are noodle flexible but still have some tooth to them.

If you get the calf sized ones from your garden in late summer just split them open, scrape out the seeds and treat the remaining shell as above.

I like that tool/peeler. I have looked up mandolins with the julienne blades but have not dropped the cash yet due to "where will I store THIS now". Your's would fit in the drawer.

[PennyK]

15. Mine isn't so good BUT

I got and love a julienenne peeler. It cuts carrots and zucchini into perfect "pasta." I am also a low-carber, and I make my zucchini zoodles into amazing Lo Mein! Don't recall the brand - a common one, but I got it at Bed Bath and Beyond. Around $10.
On edit, I see it's already been posted. That's it! And get BIG zukes. Shred away til you see seeds, then turn a bit and start shredding again. Discard the center.

[hlthe2b]

16. thanks all for the feedback...

I think I'm going to start very low tech with a simple (cheap) julienne peeler for zucchini--when Spaghetti squash is not available and see where that takes me.

If I get addicted to using it on other veggies or in other ways, I think I will think about more expensive (and counterspace/storage space intensive options) in the future.

[sir pball]

17. If you decide you want a "real" one get a Benriner or a Tsumapuro spiral slicer.

They aren't cheap, $60-100+, but they're light-years better than those crappy infomercial/Bed, Bath & Beyond models.

Or get a Benriner japanese mandolin with julienne blades for $30 and just make lots of shorter strips, instead of one long spiral