Spiral slicer on cutting edge of trendy tools

Vegetable “pasta” is easy to create with tools such as the Gefu Spirelli ($30).
Vegetable “pasta” is easy to create with tools such as the Gefu Spirelli ($30).

Kitchen appliances and gadgets seem to come in waves. Here's what's trending now.

• Vegetable Pasta -- Swap out the carbs from grain-based pastas for strands of vegetables such as zucchini and spaghetti squash for a healthier alternative. Eggshells Kitchen Co. in Little Rock carries the Gefu Spirelli spiral slicer ($30). "It works basically like a pencil sharpener," says Georganne Yehling. "It's really easy to use." Williams-Sonoma carries the Paderno Vegetable Spiralizer, a crank-style tool with interchangeable blades for spiral cuts, shoestrings and vegetable noodles.

• Bluetooth Thermometer -- Grilling goes high-tech with the iGrill Mini Bluetooth Thermometer (about $40). Place the probe in your meat, set the temperature, and the device sends an alert to your iPhone, iPad or iPod when the meat has reached the correct temperature.

• Electric Pressure Cooker -- James Rychly, assistant manager at Bed Bath & Beyond in Little Rock, predicts that the Power Pressure Cooker XL (about $100) will be this year's hot gift item. With one-touch settings for foods such as soups and stews, rice and meat, this cooker reduces cooking times by up to 70 percent.

HomeStyle on 12/13/2014

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