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Zucchini or Squash noodles – cleverly nicknamed zoodles – have been around for awhile. Can I brag for a second and note that we made them before they were cool? A client much cooler than me introduced us, and I never looked back.

Squash noodles look suspiciously like they are only for people with a generous grocery budget, extreme health goals, or food allergies. Modern appliances made exclusively for zoodling or spiralizing (I’m sure those are words), don’t help either. 

However, I made zoodles on our tiny budget for years. Here is how I make zucchini noodles fit in a small budget and avoid buying exclusive zoodle-making appliances.

1. Peeler

When I first learned how to make these, people just used a vegetable peeler to make fettucini-style noodles (See top photo).

Totally works, although I prefer spaghetti style now.

Next, the thing to use was a julienne peeler (affiliate link). In my opinion, it’s perfect.

• It’s inexpensive (try the thrift store! Who uses a julienne peeler anymore?)
• It’s small and easy to store
• It can zoodle any size zucchini. Most gadgets I know are limited to normal-size zucchini – not the giant monsters that grow in home gardens of the south.

No need for a fancy appliance if you want to try this. They make a fun and useful purchase later, but don’t let them stop you from trying squash noodles.

 

 

2. Basically every gardener has too much zucchini

Zucchini and summer squash are incredibly easy to grow in the south, and many home gardeners over-plant. I can’t tell you how many pounds of free zucchini I’ve eaten in the past. Make friends with vegetable gardeners.

3. Squash isn’t that popular – see if you can buy a box

Try buying a half-bushel of zucchini for a deal. It’s not exactly everyone’s favorite summer produce, so it’s fairly inexpensive. Unblemished squash lasts a good week in the fridge. You can refrigerate julienned/spiralized squash for up to 4 days. You can make a wide variety of zoodle dishes in that amount of time. You might want to follow my pin board where I save creative ways to Eat All The Veggies – lots of squash noodle ideas there.

(TIP: Shred any extra squash and freeze it to use in zucchini breads, muffins, cakes, etc.)

 

 

Sometimes it feels like fun, trendy health foods like zucchini noodles are only for people with a generous budget, extreme health goals, or food allergies – people who can’t or won’t enjoy a good plate of twirly pasta.

That’s just not the case. I encourage you to give zoodles a chance with a vegetable peeler, a simple julienne peeler, and all this inexpensive summertime squash.

 

Fun pinnable photo: