The pros: Trader Joe's Sweet Potato Ribbons are found in the refrigerated section and are another substitute for pasta.
The cons: With a little bit of prep, you could probably make these yourself.
The verdict:
I love a good pasta. However, Trader Joe's does offer a wide variety of offerings beyond traditional pasta. They offer the well done Carrot Spirals and have even added Zucchini Spirals to the freezer section. So, it seemed a natural fit to find another product that will allow you to feel like you are eating pasta without eating pasta.
Some people avoid pasta because of gluten, calories, or an allergy to wheat products. But people still love pasta. Now, you are clearly not limited to using this as a pasta swap. You can add this to bulk up a number of dishes without adding too many calories. Best of all, sweet potatoes are quite nutritious and filling. That is the only ingredient present here. The rest is up to you.
There is one thing about pasta swaps. You are really not fooling anyone. I've never thought zoodles were spaghetti in any way. I've thought with the proper format they were a good substitute. That is what you have here. A good substitute. In this case you have a thin strip of sweet potato that is larger than fettuccine but smaller than pappardelle. I prepared my container using the slower stove top method. They came out al dente (if I can call them that). However, one thing you will want to consider is the addition of a sauce. These call for it. They are good on their own, but just need a little something. I opted for Trader Joe's Vegan Kale, Cashew and Basil Pesto. They paired really well together. Overall, it made for a very filling meal which I enjoyed.
For $3.49 you are getting 12 ounces of thinly sliced sweet potato. This is a pretty steep markup considering how cheap buying a couple of sweet potatoes actually is. However, some people are not into doing much prep work, so this is a time-saving product. Yes, there are three very hearty fillings in this.
Here is the visual run down of what you get if you buy this product:
The package of Trader Joe's Sweet Potato Ribbons in the refrigerated case:
The nutritional information, the ingredients, how to prepare:
Out of the package you get:
After being cooked you get:
Would I buy this again? Yes, I would buy Trader Joe's Sweet Potato Ribbons again. They were tasty and filling. It won't make its way into my cart every week, but it will be in my cart 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
Great idea there! I shred carrots now and then, and steam a batch for the meal I am fixing, plus enough to make a carrot or carrot/coleslaw salad as a side dish for a few lunches. Seems a simple thing to just use a sweet potato instead of carrots. Not sure if it would be too firm for the Bosch, but might give it a try with a smallish piece next time I am doing carrots.
Our favorite sweet potato dish is to just fill the Crock-Pot with them and let them bake to perfection. They are then available in halves or whole to grab as a snack at any time, day or night. Just eat it straight out of the skin and put the skin down disposer. One spoon - very little "clean up"!
Thanks for the great idea! ;->
Virtual hugs,
Judie
msw blog says
I have seen these, but I also seen sweet potatoes at my farmer market for low as 40 cent a pound so the frugal woman and I am wen that route 🙂
Brian says
I would rather make my own as well. What did you use you cut them?
becomebetty says
Hey Brian! I think if I were to cut my own, I'd use a mandolin to slice the potato thin and then cut into the appropriate width strips. I hope that helps!