Kohlrabi Noodles with Shrimp and Thai Peanut Sauce

My local Farmers Market often has kohlrabi in the later months. I've always wanted to love it but I could never find a recipe that I liked. That is, until I discovered they can be used as noodles. Total game changer! Kohlrabi is the perfect vegetable to turn into noodles. It has a low moisture content, the noodles hold their shape well and are difficult to overcook. Kohlrabi is in the cruciferous vegetable family along with cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, etc. so it naturally pairs well with Asian flavors like a Thai peanut sauce.

It's amazing what a good sauce can do to elevate a simple vegetable. The roasted chili paste in this peanut sauce provides a rich, earthy flavor without being too spicy. The bold flavors like ginger and fish sauce are softened by the creaminess of the peanut butter. All the ingredients come together into a deliciously smooth sauce that perfectly coats the crisp tender kohlrabi noodles. Toasted coconut, roasted peanuts, and perfectly cooked shrimp round out this Thai-inspired meal.

How do you make kohlrabi noodles?

By now we've all seen the "as seen on TV" zoodle (zucchini noodle) makers. I'm sorry to say that those aren't going to cut it for kohlrabi (pun intended). Kohlrabi can be pretty tough to cut through so I use a stainless steel spiralizer instead. It also works great for other hard vegetables like sweet potatoes or turnips.

Kohlrabi has a tough outer layer that needs to be removed before spiralizing. I've had the same vegetable peeler for over ten years and it's still just as sharp as when I bought it. It's also much more ergonomic than a standard peeler. I'll never go back to a regular one again. You'll want it when you're peeling all those potatoes for Thanksgiving. Trust me.

Once you've peeled the kohlrabi, cut both ends off to make them flat. Be careful with the root end. It can be really hard to cut through. Make sure the top of the kohlrabi is what you start spiralizing first. The root end is usually too tough to spiralize. Once you get going, you'll have a pile of kohlrabi noodles in no time! Store in an airtight container in the fridge until you're ready to cook them. Follow the recipe below or come up with your own use for them! No matter what you choose to make with them, these noodles are far from boring.