Product Reviewed:
Paderno World Cuisine 4-Blade Spiralizer
Is a spiralizer a necessary kitchen item? No. Is it a fun tool to have? You bet! An upgrade over their original three-blade model, the Paderno World Cuisine 4-Blade Spiralizer is made of dishwasher-safe, BPA-free plastic and has suctioned feet to prevent slipping, a smaller corer to reduce waste, a tray to collect the falling spirals, and a body that folds in on itself to reduce its kitchen footprint. Additionally, the upgrade has four interchangeable stainless steel blades that tuck into the base’s covered shelves.
The three “ribbon” blades, as I call them, yield long curls ranging from super-thin to slightly thicker spaghetti-sized to downright chunky like Japanese udon. The flat blade creates wide spirals similar to the threads on a screw. It also shreds layered items such as cabbage and onion. And, while the arm has 23 sharp spikes to stabilize items up to nine-and-a-half inches long, it’s still helpful to cut longer or particularly thin or curvaceous items in half. After a few tries, I found it best to use my left thumb to push the handle while spiralizing with the right (or vice versa, if you’re a lefty).
Forget about spiralizing small, squishy or hollow produce — Brussels sprouts, tomatoes, bananas, berries, green beans and bell peppers are out. Instead, your best bets are sturdy fruits and vegetables (apples, Asian pears, carrots, summer squash, zucchinis, seedless cucumbers, eggplants and beets) served raw, or starchier produce (parsnips, rutabagas, turnips and potatoes) that have been steamed or sautéed.
This spiralizer can make fresh produce more palatable to particular eaters, get kids involved in the kitchen and help anyone minimizing or eliminating wheat or gluten-containing products from their diets. Relying only on a firm grip and arm strength to use, the Paderno World Cuisine 4-Blade Spiralizer may pose a problem for those with limited or compromised musculature or the elderly. It would also be relatively cumbersome for someone wanting to make very large quantities of spiralized produce in a short amount of time, such as someone working in foodservice.
If spiralized fruit and vegetables are routinely on the menu at home, this product’s speed, simplicity and versatility may outweigh its higher sticker price and size. As someone who appreciates the artistry of knife skills, I’m surprised at how much I enjoy this product and can’t wait to experiment this summer on a shredded raw kohlrabi and fennel salad!
