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Spaetzles are a kind of pasta or noodle made with flour, eggs, salt, and water. They originated in Germany but have become popular in many other countries.
They’re quick and easy to make and can be served as simply as you like. Some people even enjoy them as a quick snack with a little melted butter!
In Germany, they’re often served with meat dishes containing a lot of gravy, such as beef stroganoff. The noodles help to mop up all the delicious sauce. Yum!
The word “spaetzle” means “little sparrow” in German and probably refers to the shape. They’re not long and rounded like Asian noodles or Italian pasta.
Spaetzle Maker Substitute
Spaetzles are usually served as a savory side dish but are sometimes served sweet – for instance, with caramelized apples and cinnamon. They make a great alternative to potatoes or rice.
Hopefully, by now, we’ve got you itching to try some for yourself! Many people buy ready-made ones because making them at home is too complicated, too time-consuming, or requires fancy equipment.
This isn’t true. Spaetzles are simple and quick to make, and like most things, the homemade ones taste much better. Traditionally, Germans use a spaetzle maker.
This is a metal board-shaped gadget with holes in it. Something like a flat box grater. It usually has a scraper attached for pushing the noodle dough through.
These gadgets are easily available online, but what if you don’t have one and want to try before buying them? Well, there are some suitable substitutes that you probably have in your kitchen right now.
- Box grater with large openings
- Colander with big holes
- Steamer with large holes
- Potato ricer
- Ziploc bag with the corner cut off – in this case, you will put the soft dough into the bag and squeeze it out through the hole in the corner. Use a pair of kitchen scissors to cut the dough as it oozes out.
- Icing bag with plain round nozzle attachment – use this in the same way as mentioned above for the Ziploc bag.
Any of the above make good substitutes for a spaetzle maker. If you’re using a grater, colander, or steamer, push and scrape the dough through the holes with a spatula or knife edge.
Let’s make spaetzles with our substitute gadgets!
1. First, make the dough using an authentic German recipe. There are plenty of free ones online, and all you’ll need are plain flour, eggs, salt, and water. Chill the dough to firm it up and make it easier to handle.
2. Next, put a big pot of salted water to boil. It would help if you had a large pot so that the noodles won’t stick together. Get a slotted spoon ready and a dish to put your noodles in once they’re done.
3. Spray your gadget of choice with cooking spray so that the dough doesn’t adhere to it. Adding a little butter to the dish will stop them from sticking together.
4. Now, hold your grater or whatever gadget you’re using over the pot of rapidly boiling water (be careful not to burn yourself with the steam – an oven mitt will protect your hand).
5. Grate and press some of the dough through so that it makes noodles that fall into the pot. Do a few at a time. When they’re cooked, they will float to the top.
6. Scoop them out with your slotted spoon and put them into your bowl that’s waiting there. Make more batches until all your dough has been used up.
7. Serve the noodles hot with your sauce. If there are leftovers (which doesn’t often happen!), they can be refrigerated then reheated in a pan with a little butter later on.
We hope this article has inspired you to make your own spaetzles even if you don’t have the proper gadget. Guten Appetit!