More fun with vegetables

Chef Attila Hildman demonstrates the Lurch Spiralizer

What is it?
It's a plastic contraption resembling a Medieval torture device, with a crank handle, scary-looking prong and a range of cutting blades. It is also the essential gadget for keeping up with the latest food trend - low carb and healthy.

What does it promise?
More fun than you ever imagined you could have with a pile of vegetables. The in-box blurb promises spiral shapes and spaghetti from most firm fleshed fruit and vegetables.

What does it do?
What is says on the tin. Having cut your chosen vegetable so it has two flat sides, press one end onto the prong and the other at the blade end. Then turning the handle attached to the prong while pushing towards the blade your veggies emerge transformed. The version I tested had a choice of three different cutters for long flat ribbons or spaghetti-shaped strands of 1.5mm or 3mm. Courgettes became "courgette-i" and carrots were similarly transformed into long noodle-y strands.

Does it work?
With the assistance of my good friend Google, yes. The instructions with the machine were not overly useful and my initial sorry attempts - 2cm-long excuses for strands - were not the lustrous lengths I'd envisaged. One YouTube film later and my "courgette-is" were pushing ½ metre. After a quick trim I sautéed them in a little olive oil and garlic, seasoned and squeezed on some lemon juice producing a carb-free supper in minutes. Genius. Washing up was a doddle too – provided you beware the blades.

Must have or maybe not?
While not cheap, nor the cutest gadget around, this could answer Pesach menu worries. No more potato-fatigue - you now have a rainbow of Passover options. Even if you just fancy following new trends in healthy eating or want a fun way of getting children to try vegetables, it's a winner.

Lurch Spiralizer Attila Hildman edition £39.95 (currently £37.90)