271204 Sun May 23 11:52:28 -0700 2004 13 17 What's My Craving? 0 1428542 OK guys ... I need the straight dope about "alternative" pasta. I need to go on South Beach Diet and the biggest thing I'm totally unpsyched about is having to give up pasta. They say you can have whole wheat pasta, but I've heard it's weird and chewy. Is there some other, better alternative? Please, anybody with thoughts, suggestions, tell me what's the best "fake" pasta? Sun May 23 11:52:28 -0700 2004 0 MrsG 1 1428543 while i'm not sure how it ranks on the carb counting scale, i've had and enjoyed jerusalem artichoke pasta (have gotten it at health stores, as well as in the healthy-item section of a couple markets). if you're not looking to cook specifically italian/european dishes, chinese markets offer really good tofu noodles that certainly should fit your dietary needs... Sun May 23 12:44:11 -0700 2004 1428542 0 david sprague 1 1428545 While I'm not the biggest supporter of these low carb diets, I think that julienned zucchini or spaghetti squash would make acceptable substitutes for pasta. Sun May 23 18:24:08 -0700 2004 1428542 0 Miss Needle 2 1428618 Spaghetti squash makes a good alternative pasta. Cut it in half (if it's hard to cut put it in the microwave for a couple of minutes first). Lay it cut side down on a cookie sheet and bake until tender when stuck with a fork. Use the fork to pull out the soaghetti-like strands and toss them with any sauce you like. Sun May 30 17:48:22 -0700 2004 1428545 0 N Tocus 1 1428546 I made an "alternative gnocchi" using cauliflower and soy flour or atkins mix depending on your particular needs. Sun May 23 19:23:26 -0700 2004 1428542 0 Emme 1 1428547 Make sure you try whole wheat pasta before you dismiss it. I don't think it's so bad. Mon May 24 00:30:42 -0700 2004 1428542 0 Dave Feldman 2 1428548 agreed...i actually prefer a whole-wheat spaghetti when i'm having a heartier bolognese-type sauce... dominick Mon May 24 02:03:49 -0700 2004 1428547 0 astoriaboy 1 1428553 My wife is on the South Beach diet. We always buy fresh whole wheat pasta by Pastosa. It is not chewy. It is very tasty with marinara sauce and cheese. Mon May 24 10:22:38 -0700 2004 1428542 0 Irving 1 1428554 At Acqua Pazzo i had low carb pasta that was made with favas and i really liked it. Interestingly, it reminded me of lucshun (?) noodles that are served with soup on passover. I've tried Keto low-carb pasta and found it inevitable. Mon May 24 10:25:11 -0700 2004 1428542 0 belle 1 1428556 How about Spelt pasta? I didn't look carefully to see if it's all spelt or mixed with whole wheat, but it's not bad. Or for something more unusual, there's also fish pasta from Fou Chow region of China, as well as special wrapper that are wonton skin-like when cooked, but are made of pounded pork. Mon May 24 10:58:02 -0700 2004 1428542 0 HLing 1 1428561 Why don't you try whole wheat pasta before you write it off on the basis of having been told "weird and chewy"? Whole wheat pasta is to refined-flour pasta as whole-grain bread is to white bread: an earthy, grainy, strongly flavored version of the original. Like whole wheat bread, whole wheat pasta won't taste good in lighter pasta dishes because of its strong flavor and hearty texture. (I can't imagine using it with a delicate sauce, in a light dish like pasta primavera, or with a flaky white fish.) But it tastes good in dishes where the other ingredients are also hearty like pasta bolognese and minestrone soup. Mon May 24 12:37:39 -0700 2004 1428542 0 Opportunivore 1 1428565 Definitely try whole wheat pasta before you write it off. There is a brand out there called Bionaturae that makes EXCELLENT dried pasta, both semolina and whole wheat. In fact, I like their whole wheat so much that use it for nearly everything. The wheat flavor isn't super strong, and the texture is very similar to what you're used to in a good pasta. Mon May 24 14:58:20 -0700 2004 1428542 0 budino 1 1428571 I second the vote for Bionaturae whole wheat pasta (available at Fairway) The tagliatelle cut is very similar to super traditional Calabrian pasta called "struncatura", and is superb when tossed with a garlic/anchovy/hot pepper/extra virgin olive oil melt--even better when you crush in broccoli, broccoli rabe, or cauliflower (use vegetable water to boil pasta). The pasta itself is very filling and satisfying, so you'll eat less, too. Mon May 24 16:52:35 -0700 2004 1428542 0 bob oppedisano 1 1428597 Go to the spotted pig and they do a ricotta gnocchi that is flourless.... and rediculous!!!! i forget what it is called, but it is the signature app. Thu May 27 15:44:35 -0700 2004 1428542 0 Mark Z