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We shall never tire of celebrating pasta. It is the pride and joy of Italy and lends itself to many interpretations, whether fresh, dry or stuffed. Let it be said, once and for all, that pasta deserves its rightful place in any well-balanced and healthy diet, so long as the quantity and sauces are correctly portioned. But, be truthful: if it were possible to find a no-carb pasta, would you eat it? Of course you would.
Here are nine ideas for some carb-free 'pasta’ dishes made from vegetables, algae, tubers or roots. The flavours and textures are obviously quite different, but they offer a colourful and healthy way to satisfy your desire for a first course. No comparison whatsoever with a well-executed carbonara, but you may even surprise yourself by how much you like them.
9 carb free spaghetti recipes
ZUCCHINI SPAGHETTI
Image: Taste Space
The most famous of all vegetable spaghettis is probably zucchini spaghetti. First of all, you need the right piece of equipment to make it, but most spiralizers are simple to use and allow you to vary the thickness. Once done, blanch for a few minutes and create an intriguing dressing: we particularly recommend avocado pesto.
SQUASH SPAGHETTI
Image: Making Nice In The Midwest
Squash or pumpkin spaghetti, a carb-free pasta: whatever you wish to call it, this pumpkin is born to be a first course. It produces spaghetti-like strands with a delicate, almost neutral flavour: you just have to boil the pumpkin and scoop it out with a fork. Very low in calories but extremely rich in folic acid, potassium, vitamins A and C, and carotene.
SHIRATAKI NOODLES
Image: Yummly
Now available in all supermarkets, shirataki is made from the root of the konjac, a plant widely cultivated in Asia that has practically no calories at all. Take note, however: since it is largely composed of water and glucomannan, don’t expect it to have any remarkable content of vitamins, proteins and mineral salts. Neither does it have much flavour, so serve it with a rich and tasty accompaniment.
CAULIFLOWER COUS COUS
Image: Fresh Tart
You don’t even need to cook this cous cous made from raw cauliflower, grated or broken up in a blender. Effortless and highly satisfying, this filling dish has deceived many people, who are convinced it is actually cous cous. Try it with broad beans and onions or Moroccan-style.
CARROT SPAGHETTI
Use your magical mandolin slicer to make this colourful carrot spaghetti, carb-free pasta. If you adore its crunchiness, take it directly from the worktop to the plate without transiting in a pan (or microwave). Dressing suggestions? Browse around a store of Asian specialities and let yourself be inspired by ginger, spices, peanut and coconut milks.
Image: Clean Blog
BEETROOT SPAGHETTI
Image: Coconut and Berries
Here the colour palette is so inspiring that it is hard to resist the temptation of mixing beetroot spaghetti with those of carrots and zucchini. Such a colourful zero-carb pasta. Once again, the method is so easy it is hardly worthwhile going into details. A most recommended pairing is with strong-flavoured cheese such as gorgonzola and maybe a handful of walnuts.
CELERIAC RISOTTO
Image: Inphyusion
Celeriac is a favourite of raw cuisine. Similarly to cauliflower, the celeriac has to be put into the blender raw to create a consistency similar to rice for using as a base for cold salads or – why not? – tasty sushi rolls. We won’t go as far as to suggest you use it for risotto but, would you believe, some chefs have started to do just that.
POTATO SPAGHETTI
Image: Feed Your Skull
With more calories than other vegetable spaghetti – less however than 'normal' pasta – but plenty of nutrients, potato spaghetti has been interpreted by many chefs, including Massimo Bottura, who has cooked it with a sauce of clams, creamed sea urchin and caviar.
ALGAE SPAGHETTI
Image: Veggie Wedgie
Kelp noodles are made from kelp seaweed, low in calories and carbohydrates but very rich in mineral salts. They are readily available and quick to cook. A recommended pairing is with rich, creamy sauces.
We hope you like our article about carb-free pasta and no carb rice. Feel like reading something else? Try our article on edible roots, tapioca starch or learn how to make Japanese Mochi.
