Photography by Aya Brackett for Gardenista.
Photography by Aya Brackett for Gardenista.
“Vegetable-based pasta” is technically a misnomer.
“Vegetable-based pasta” is technically a misnomer.
But that hasn’t stopped hordes of plant-based alt-noodle brands from cropping up, their boxes adorned with lofty promises like “twice the protein” and “half the carbs” and “you’ll kick this rigatoni addiction yet, Ella!”
But that hasn’t stopped hordes of plant-based alt-noodle brands from cropping up, their boxes adorned with lofty promises like “twice the protein” and “half the carbs” and “you’ll kick this rigatoni addiction yet, Ella!”
Alternatives made from all sorts of vegetables and legumes line the shelves of health-food stores. Is it just another wellness trend, hollow as al dente Bucatini?
Alternatives made from all sorts of vegetables and legumes line the shelves of health-food stores. Is it just another wellness trend, hollow as al dente Bucatini?
From left, four plant-based pasta substitutes: Explore Cuisine Black Bean Spaghetti, Explore Cuisine Edamame Spaghetti, Banza Chickpea Elbows, and Ancient Harvest Garden Pagoda (Corn, Quinoa, Spinach, Beet, Red Bell Pepper).
From left, four plant-based pasta substitutes: Explore Cuisine Black Bean Spaghetti, Explore Cuisine Edamame Spaghetti, Banza Chickpea Elbows, and Ancient Harvest Garden Pagoda (Corn, Quinoa, Spinach, Beet, Red Bell Pepper).
Chickpea Elbows are $25 for six boxes at Eat Banza.
Chickpea Elbows are $25 for six boxes at Eat Banza.
Chickpea Elbows
Chickpea Elbows
For a quick and delicious lunch, toss veggie pasta with fresh greens—we added a couple of handfuls of baby spinach and some micro greens—a sprinkling of toasted nuts, and a simple dressing of olive oil and lemon.
For a quick and delicious lunch, toss veggie pasta with fresh greens—we added a couple of handfuls of baby spinach and some micro greens—a sprinkling of toasted nuts, and a simple dressing of olive oil and lemon.
Compared with a box of Barilla spaghetti, that’s about two times as much protein, a little more than half the net carbohydrates, and a similar calorie count.
Compared with a box of Barilla spaghetti, that’s about two times as much protein, a little more than half the net carbohydrates, and a similar calorie count.
A package of six boxes of Explore Cuisine Organic Edamame Spaghetti is $25 at Amazon.
A package of six boxes of Explore Cuisine Organic Edamame Spaghetti is $25 at Amazon.
Edamame Spaghetti
Edamame Spaghetti
For a two-ounce serving (which provided a much heftier portion than the Banza—roughly twice as much in volume), the noodles have 20 grams of carbohydrates (13 grams of fiber and 3 grams of sugar) and 24 grams of protein—placing them materially higher than the Banza.
For a two-ounce serving (which provided a much heftier portion than the Banza—roughly twice as much in volume), the noodles have 20 grams of carbohydrates (13 grams of fiber and 3 grams of sugar) and 24 grams of protein—placing them materially higher than the Banza.
An eight-ounce pouch of Explore Asia Organic Black Bean Spaghetti is $7.79 at Amazon. Like the Edamame Spaghetti, the Black Bean Spaghetti produced a large volume of cooked noodles per serving size.
An eight-ounce pouch of Explore Asia Organic Black Bean Spaghetti is $7.79 at Amazon. Like the Edamame Spaghetti, the Black Bean Spaghetti produced a large volume of cooked noodles per serving size.
Black Bean Spaghetti
Black Bean Spaghetti
Red Lentil Rotini
Red Lentil Rotini
I adore lentils and was most looking forward to testing Ancient Harvest’s Red Lentil Rotini ($3.79 per box). Shape-wise, they were the favorite of the bunch—rotinis’ ridges are an excellent canvas for a thick, cheesy sauce.
I adore lentils and was most looking forward to testing Ancient Harvest’s Red Lentil Rotini ($3.79 per box). Shape-wise, they were the favorite of the bunch—rotinis’ ridges are an excellent canvas for a thick, cheesy sauce.
A box of Ancient Harvest’s Garden Pagoda Noodles is $3.99 at Ancient Harvest.
A box of Ancient Harvest’s Garden Pagoda Noodles is $3.99 at Ancient Harvest.
Garden Pagodas (Corn, Quinoa, Spinach, Beet, Red Bell Pepper)
Garden Pagodas (Corn, Quinoa, Spinach, Beet, Red Bell Pepper)
Nutritionally, they don’t rank much higher than run-of-the-mill Barilla spaghetti, with a two-ounce serving containing 46 grams of carbohydrates (4 grams of fiber and less than 1 gram of sugar) and 4 grams of protein.
Nutritionally, they don’t rank much higher than run-of-the-mill Barilla spaghetti, with a two-ounce serving containing 46 grams of carbohydrates (4 grams of fiber and less than 1 gram of sugar) and 4 grams of protein.
