The pros: Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Zig Zags are refrigerated, fresh, delicious, and a great substitute for real fries.
The cons: Doesn't include oven directions, but it can be made in the oven. This is priced a bit at a premium as all the prep work has been done for you.
The verdict: Let's face it. There are some foods we all love, but they don't all love us in return. Items like pasta or french fries jump to mind. While they are delicious on their own, they don't win any awards for being low-calorie items. So I (and I'm kinda sure a few people out there too) are looking to decent tasting substitutes. When I found these in the refrigerated section my mind jumped to things like replacing french fries or more realistically Sweet Potato Fries. Don't get me wrong. I really like sweet potato fries. It's still a good amount of prep work to make those from scratch. Most of us I'm sure feel a bit depleted of time and energy, therefore these seemed like a mid-week time saver.
Now, you can make these in a number of ways. I went a bit off the grid on this one. Boiling, steaming, saunteeing, and microwaving just weren't going to yield a slightly crunchy veggie fry. So, I turned my oven up to 400F. Tossed this container in 2 tablespoon of Olive Oil and put them in for about 20 minutes. They started to get color after 10 minutes, so I turned them and put them in for another 10 minutes. I tested one and it was cooked, but the darker in color they got the more intense the flavor was. So yes, they went back in for another 5 minutes.
What came out were a nice sized fry and yes, they shrunk to about half the size (if not a touch smaller). Yes, they will need to be seasoned as the only ingredient in this package was the butternut squash. Salt, pepper or perhaps Everything but the Bagel Seasoning will work on these (and yes, I know other ones would work, let your mind get creative with these). The texture felt like a sweet potato fry. I would be willing to substitute these for sweet potato fries. However, just be aware if you are going to cook these in the oven, this box will only make 2 "normal" sized servings.
For $3.49 these were quick, easy, and a healthy substitute to regular french fries. They even have the fun crinkle cut shape. Even if you are eating half of the box here, you are still doing better than an order of small McDonald's fries. The only flavor here is butternut squash. This item in about convenience and eating a veggie in a fun shape. It's worth a try if you like butternut squash, need a fun shape to convince a kid (or adult for that matter) to eat their veggies. I liked them. I would never go through the prep work of trying to get any veggie in this shape. I'd buy these again but I would roast the more than the pictures below.
Here is the visual run down of what you get if you buy this product:
The box of Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Zig Zags:
The nutritional information, the ingredient and how to prepare:
After being baked in the oven you get:
Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Butternut Squash Zig Zags again.
Want to see more items I've reviewed from Trader Joe's? Click on Thoughts & Reviews of Trader Joe's for a searchable list.
Did you try it? Let me know what you think in the comments section!
judilyn says
Thanks for the reminder. I have a beautiful butternut squash hanging out on my kitchen window. I'm going to put it into the InstantPot this very instant! ;->
Virtual hugs,
Judie
becomebetty says
How do you like the Instant Pot? I was thinking about asking for the holidays. Just would love your thoughts!
judilyn says
The form won't let me reply, so starting anew. I LOVE the InstantPot. I am old school to a great extent, but the InstantPot won me over immediately.
Example: Last night I tucked six potatoes (that I had no intention of serving) on the bottom of the pot on a trivet, and then piled collard greens into the rest of the pot. Of course the collards cook down to almost nothing. I set the timer for 15 minutes, even though it was nearly two hours until I had intended to serve dinner.
Everything cooked to perfection, let out its own steam over a period of about 15 - 20 minutes (without any sound or steam pitching forth all over the kitchen), and then kept everything at serving temperature until dinner time. I put the potatoes in the refrigerator to use for some other purpose, some other time, when they will provide a side dish with the biggest part of the work already accomplished.
The rest of the dinner was curly noodles, with steak and onions/celery/red and green pepper in a slightly thickened au jus gravy over top. Perfect for Poldark!
becomebetty says
Sounds like you really like it. I've heard of the Instant Pot, but you are telling me this device has some pretty magical abilities. Sounds like something I need to ask for this holiday season. Thanks again for sharing your insights!
judilyn says
I'm very slow to adopt a new method like this, and had a very expensive Sitram stovetop pressure cooker, which slowed down buying an appliance that really didn't do anything that I couldn't already do with the plethora of appliances jammed into my kitchen.
But I'm very glad I did!
becomebetty says
Just wanted to let you know that I got an Instant Pot over Christmas. You totally talked me into it. Such a great kitchen item. I love it. Thanks for the recommendation!
Lindsay says
Wanted to let you know that based on your reviews I looked for both the autumn harvest pasta sauce and the puttanesca sauce in my local (So Cal) store this weekend - they had neither, nor any spots for them. 🙁 I guess these must be regional items? Boo.
Also, re: the comments above I love my Instant Pot! Made a sausage and kale soup over the weekend that took a few minutes to prep and crumble the sausage but otherwise was virtually hands off the entire time. That’s the key - it’s not always less total time if you account for time for the IP to come up to pressure and time to depressurize, but you can be doing other stuff without thinking about it once while it’s all happening. No fear of scorched pots and pans or anything boiling over. For me? Worth it.
becomebetty says
Hey Lindsay! Bummer on the sauces. I know that the autumnal harvest pasta supply is winding down for the season. They were on their last few jars here in NY. Anyways, thanks so much for sharing your insights to the Instant Pot. Anything for less mess right? Sounds like you really love yours. I guess I know what I'm asking for this holiday season :). Thanks again for sharing your insight.
Amy says
Did these get very crisp in the oven?
becomebetty says
The more color, the more crisp they were. The shrinkage was the biggest issue. Flipping them half way is important too.
Jenn says
Thank you for this post! I was also annoyed there were no oven directions. Making these now with Everything But the Bagel seasoning.!
becomebetty says
Hey Jenn! Thanks for taking the time to comment. Let me know how they turn out. I judged mine on color for doneness. I haven't paired them with everything but the bagel, but that sounds like a great combination!
Claire says
Do you think these could be frozen (uncooked)? I live an hour from the closest Trader Joe’s and want to stock up!
becomebetty says
Hey Claire! I wasn't sure. So I look it up. Here is what one article said: https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/food/can-i-freeze-pre-cut-butternut-squash-without-cooking-it-first/2015/09/30/1e1e2656-66ef-11e5-9ef3-fde182507eac_story.html?utm_term=.9fb84962f7de I hope that helps!