Want to Save this Recipe?
Enter your email below & we'll send it straight to your inbox. Plus you'll get great new recipes from us every week!
Thanks to one of our sponsors, Nature's Legacy, I recently discovered how much I like spelt! The spelt grain is part of the wheat family and is available in both whole and white form (just like wheat). Spelt is more mild than wheat though and in my opinion, especially when it's used in baked goods, the outcome is lighter and more cake-like - yes, please! I first tried spelt flour in a whole-grain pumpkin muffin recipe last year, and I am not going to lie...the texture is just divine, and this recipe still remains one of our favorites. And spelt products go beyond just flour, so be sure to look for whole-spelt pasta as well and try some using the pasta recipe below.
If you are new to cooking with spelt (like I was not too long ago!) here are some helpful facts...
- Spelt is a true non-hybrid grain, it has not been hybridized or chemically altered by man (spelt is a natural cross between Emmer wheat and Goats grass).
- Spelt has a deliciously light, nutty flavor and has been grown and eaten around the world for thousands of years.
- Spelt flour can be easily substituted for wheat flour in baked goods.
- The gluten in spelt breaks down in warm water and mixing (which makes it easier to digest) while the gluten in modern wheats is broken down only in acid and alcohol. It can be used by people with wheat intolerance, IBS or other inflammatory problems; but for best results suspend eating modern-day wheat for at least 3 weeks to be able to recognize a difference.
- Spelt contains all eight essential amino acids, is about 60 percent higher in protein than common wheat, and contains B viatamins, iron, potassium, magnesium, manganese, and fiber. Be sure to always choose whole-grain spelt.
More about Nature's Legacy For Life...
Since 1979, Purity Foods (the creators of Nature's Legacy and VitaSpelt) has been a worldwide supplier of certified organic food products. Their organic flour mill is one of the largest in the industry and they provide all-natural organic spelt products without any additives, preservatives or artificial ingredients. Find out more about spelt and the health benefits associated with it. To find Nature's Legacy foods at a store near you, check out their store locator on their website.
Recipe Using Spelt Pasta
Chimichurri is an Argentinian sauce commonly used there as a marinade and sauce for grilled meat. It is similar to pesto and a great use for extra herbs from your garden or the farmers' market. It is light and zesty and therefore perfect to enjoy in the summertime. This versatile pasta could be used as a side dish next to grilled meat, or as a main dish along with some fresh vegetables or meats mixed into the pasta. There are two ways to prepare the chimichurri sauce, with everything chopped up and mixed together (much like a salsa) or by pureeing everything in a food processor. It is fun to experiment and try both techniques.
Chimichurri Spelt Pasta
Ingredients
- 1 box spelt pasta (VitaSpelt or Nature's Legacy Whole Spelt Pasta)
- ⅓ cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt (kosher, plus more to taste)
- 1 head garlic (minced)
- ½ red onion (diced)
- 1 ½ teaspoon chili flakes (more if you like more heat)
- 1 bunch cilantro (stems removed and chopped)
- 1 bunch parsley (stems removed and chopped)
- 1 bunch oregano (stems removed and chopped)
- ¾ cup olive oil (extra virgin)
- pepper (to taste)
Instructions
- Cook whole spelt pasta according to package directions. VitaSpelt Whole Spelt Spaghetti will cook in about 5 minutes.
- Toss cooked pasta with about ½ cup chimichurri sauce. Extra sauce makes a great marinade, sandwich spread, salad dressing, or salsa.
Chimichurri Sauce
- Combine red wine vinegar, 1 tsp. salt, minced garlic, finely diced red onion, and chili flakes in a medium bowl and let stand for 5-10 minutes.
- Stir in cilantro, parsley, and oregano.
- Slowly stir in oil with a fork. Season with salt and pepper to taste.Alternate Chimichurri Instructions: Remove stems from fresh herbs. Puree all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Tran says
With baby on his way to more and more solids, my husband and I have really been going more real-food and organic for nutrition. Also my sister in law has fibromyalgia and has been recommended all kinds of various diets and I really want to try to help her get to eating real-foods too.
Erin says
Sounds interesting. I would love to try it.
Tiffany Harris says
Facebook
Shellie says
newsletter
Amy N says
facebook!
Shellie says
facebook
Amy N says
I've been wanting to try spelt since we've started working toward eliminating wheat from our diet!
LorrieAnn Danner says
LOVE you Face Book Page!
Amanda Moreau says
I am interested in learning new ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle and am excited to try "new to me" whole/ real foods.
Shellie says
We love organic pastas, but I can't say that we have tried spelt anything either. As much as we are pasta junkies in this house, I would love the opportunity to "riff" with a whole case of it!
Tiffany Harris says
I would love to try this with homemade sauces and also for baking!
LorrieAnn Danner says
I am looking forward to trying this pasta, was not aware of it! Thanks for sharing! <3
Anna says
I would like to try it in pastries to get a lighter taste.
Aimee says
I would like to try this pasta!!
Lisa says
I am slowing making the whole food change for me and my family... this win will help with that change :o)
Heather says
I just subscribed to your site and loving it. I have never tried spelt anything and would love the opportunity!!!
Crystal says
This interesting and worth a try just to see if there is a taste difference.
Carol Carman says
Newsletter
Carol Carman says
Facebook
Meg says
I have tried baking with spelt and the results have been great. I would love to try this pasta too!
Jana says
I am wanting to improve my eating habits and have very little experience with spelt. I would really like to give it a try.
Carol Carman says
I would like to learn how to use spelt, partially because my husband has been diagnosed as diabetic. But in a little over two years, he has been able to keep his blood glucose levels under 100 with diet. He has recently stopped taking his one glucose pill per day and his levels are remaining good. So I know the importance of eating the right foods. (I'm his cook!) Also, there are family members with glucose intolerance, and I can't help but wonder if using spelt would help us in other ways as well.
JP says
I have cooked with spelt flour, but never tried pasta. We keep trying to sample new/different grains - especially some of the lesser used ones - but it can b e difficult to find them or expensive when you do. I have enjoyed spelt in cookies and am curious about spelt as a pasta.
Kelly h says
Facebook
Kelly huckaby says
Have been wanting to try new flour products for a while now.....winning this will be great!
stephanie says
Facebook
stephanie says
Hello I am interested in trying this pasta because we are looking to become more healthy as a family. We have recently dabbled in Vegetarian meals and this would be a great addition to our recipes since its whole grain.
Rebecca Alden says
Im interested to try this whole wheat pasta, as I am not a big fan Of whole wheat pasta but as 100 days of real food said it is a milder pasta! :-) I have just started eating much more healthy then i used to and i want to make as many healthy choices as i can, but i also do not want to sacrifice flavor!
Chloe says
I've recently become extremely focused on clean eating and real food. I'm always looking for new foods to try, especially alternatives to incorporate into my diet in addition to whole wheat. I have never tried spelt and would be very interested in doing so!
Robyn Mixon says
I have not yet tried spelt, but have seen it in the store. We love pasta and I look forward to trying some fo my fave recipes with it--very excited to know of whole grain properties and protein level. Thanks a bunch!
Cassidy says
For the longest time I avoided eating pasta (one of my favorite foods) upon learning of how unhealthy refined and processed pasta can be. But after discovering whole grain alternatives, I began to enjoy it again without the guilt or worries. Spelt pasta will just be another way to savor one of my favorite foods, while feeling good about it too.
Catherine says
Newsletter
Catherine says
Facebook
Catherine says
I'm interested in trying spelt because I've just started the journey to find grains that are easier to digest. I also love trying new real foods.
Donna says
Newsletter
Donna says
Facebook
Donna says
I am interested in trying whole-spelt pasta as I am in the process of elimating refined flour products from my kitchen and it sounds like a wonderful alternative to enriched pasta products.
Bethany says
I would like to try spelt pasta because I am always optimistic towards the ancient grains that have been eaten for thousands of years- not just wheat.
Kim Maditz says
I would really like to try a healthy lifestyle.
Sharlene says
I am interested in trying spelt products because I am diabetic and need to eat whole grains.