It’s possible! You knead and rest as usual, then roll it out with a rolling pin. Roll it out paper thin, as thin as your arms can handle! I find water based pasta a lot easier to roll than egg based. It is a lot of work, be prepared. If you have celiac disease, you need to avoid spelt. Spelt contains gluten, so it will trigger symptoms and cause damage just like any wheat product. This has been confirmed in scientific studies. Put a pan of water on to boil for the pasta. When the pan comes to the boil, salt the water generously, or to taste, and add the pasta; my spelt spaghetti needs 8-9 minutes, so I set the timer for 7 and start testing for doneness then. Consuming spelt as part of a healthful diet may provide the following benefits: 1. Improved cholesterol levels

Add the sliced mushrooms and cook them for 3–4 minutes over a medium-high heat, turning them frequently in the pan. Although the two grains have some similar nutritional amounts, spelt has almost double the amount of vitamin K of wheat. As well, there are several minerals which are slightly higher in spelt than in wheat, including iron, potassium, and zinc. In many respects, spelt is more nutritious than wheat. People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity may experience a negative effect when they eat gluten, usually in the form of digestive problems ( 24).

One of the best things about spelt – in addition to its health benefits? It tastes wonderful! While whole wheat pasta tends to be grainy, and crumbles during cooking, spelt pasta retains its texture so it holds up perfectly under sauces and other ingredients. Q. Why is spelt an ‘ancient’ grain? It’s now pretty mainstream and you’ll find it in most of the major supermarkets whatever country you’re in. Although it is nutritionally similar to whole-wheat pasta, semolina pasta can be made from any variety of grain. There are several distinctions between the two types of grain, including the fact that it is derived from a different, older, less processed grain. Ancient grains are thought to contain a different type of gluten than modern grains. Another 2013 review showed that high whole grain intake (3 servings per day) was associated with a 32% reduced risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Refined grains did not show the same benefit ( 14 ).

NB: If this is the first you’re ever hearing of FODMAPs but suffer IBS type symptoms after eating certain foods (but can’t work out what or why) you might want to start with this primer– you could find it changes everything. Spelt flour: note that whole grain spelt does absorb a bit more water than light spelt, so you’ll have to go by feel. You can also do a mix of spelt and another flour type like einkorn. Not only does spelt contain very little cholesterol, but it can also actually help lower your cholesterol levels. High amounts of fiber can help prevent the absorption of cholesterol. In fact, the fiber in spelt specifically targets LDL (also known as “bad”) cholesterol. 5. Lose Weight http://annals.org/aim/article-abstract/2118594/single-component-versus-multicomponent-dietary-goals-metabolic-syndrome-randomized-trial This is important because fructans fall into a group of sugars called oligosaccharides – and oligosaccharides are part of a group of foods called FODMAPs.The amount of lectins you’re exposed to from spelt is unlikely to cause harm or prevent nutrient availability if consumed cooked. Summary However, one of the reasons why spelt is often preferred over wheat is not because of its vitamin content, but because it causes less digestive upset, particularly for people who are sensitive to gluten. Wheat contains more gluten than spelt, which is why many people with wheat allergies find they can enjoy eating spelt products. Spelt also has some special nutritional properties that can provide health benefits not found in regular wheat. Is Spelt Good For You? A. Some of the earliest recordings of spelt appear in the Bible (Exodus 9:30, Isaiah 28:25, and Ezekiel 4:9). It is widely believed that farmers grew spelt as long ago as 5000 BC in the region then known as Mesopotamia – now Iraq. As civilizations migrated westward, spelt moved along with them. It wasn’t until the early 1900’s that spelt migrated to North America – in 910 more than 600,000 acres of spelt were harvested annually in the U.S. alone. Q. If spelt has been around for so long, why haven’t I heard of it? I was expecting the spelt pasta to go through the same turgid cooking trauma you get from other healthy alternatives like brown pasta or wild rice. Lay the cherry tomatoes in a 30cm x 40cm baking tray. Rub the flavoured oil all over the ricotta and place in the centre of the tray, then gently rub the remaining oil over the tomatoes.