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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)
- 1/3 cup red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt (kosher, plus more to taste)
- 1 head garlic (minced)
- 1/2 red onion (diced)
- 1 1/2 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)
- 3/4 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 1/2 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.
I would love to have some more variety in the good foods that we try to eat!
My son was just diagnosed with fpies a diagnosis which has hastened and deepened our desire and extent of whole foods.
Since the newsletter came out on the day the contest ends, I am supposing no one won the prize, because both parties that signed up didn’t beat the deadline. If the deadline is extended, then both parties above me win by default, because they were the only 2 that entered :)
As for making a deadline time for a major prize such as this, it would be helpful to place the time zone, because as Suzanne said, she got in on time, if Central time zone is considered :)
I’m a mother of 4 who would like to see if replacing wheat with spelt would help my family, especially as far as allergies/asthma.
I LOVE spelt! I try to get spelt any chance I can! I love that it is high protein and rich in vitamins and minerals as well as full of aminos and a non-tampered grain…done and DONE! When I can find spelt flour I stock up, it makes the silkiest breads ever! It’s definately one of my top go-to ancient grains.
I am always interested in trying new items for baking and cooking, and spelt would be great.
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I live in the Central Time Zone…and it is 11:40 p.m. :)
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I am making an effort to eat an alkaline forming diet, and have read that spelt flour is good for this.
I’ve used spelt flour in recipes and I’ve loved it, so I would love to try the pasta, too!
This sounds like a nasty grain to try and my girls love pasta!
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I am very curious to try this pasta as I am also a new mom to real foods but honestly at first it wasn’t by choice! My exclusively breastfed son developed a list of food allergies at around a month old and little did I know what all I was eating until I had to start reading labels on everything! It really does scare me how many bad things are put into your everyday foods and also makes me wonder how we survived childhood ourselves! He has dairy/soy/corn/peanut/treenut/egg/strawberry and pineapple intolerances but thankfully he does fine with wheat! Now that we buy nothing but health foods I am wondering how much better this product would be for him rather than the plain wheat pasta I buy for him at the store.
Always looking to try something new that is good for the family.
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We have been toying with eating less and less processed foods in our family and are ready to truly take the plunge.
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Not spelt gas! Ha ha. I like that spelt has not been altered by man!
I like spelt flour and would like to broaden my horizons to spelt pasta. I also like that spelt gas not been engineered or altered by man, yet.
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We’re working on going gluten free and this is a product I’d like to try :-)
Heard about Spelt pasta last week from a co-worker. Very interested in trying.
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I have heard that spelt pasta is a good alternative to regular pasta. I would love tot try and switch my children to a tasty pasta that is healthier for them. Thank you!!
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I have tried other alternative grains but not spelt – would love to though!
I have been taking the challenge to prepare healthier foods for my family. I would love to try the whole-spelt pasta in some of my family’s recipes.
I am new to the world of real foods and love the opportunity for more options…especially for certain family members not sold on whole grain pasta. Plus, it will be fun to share and tell everyone else about it. :)
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I am interested in trying whole-spelt pasta because I enjoy spelt bread and am making positive health changes for my family.
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I’d love to try spelt for its health value
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