I’m in the midst of looking for a new apartment in Chicago, mostly because I’d like to have an office instead of working in my dining room on a daily basis.
Personally I find that moving is one of the most unenjoyable things. I mean, I still haven’t completely unpacked my suitcase from three weeks ago. I KNOW I’m totally that type of person. How annoying. I should really just go in there and unpack RIGHT NOW… but then I remember I’m traveling for the rest of the week and all of my problems are solved.
The whole moving thing is exhausting. I walk around the city looking for extremely overpriced apartments with terrible kitchens and want to cry. Not to mention that sometimes I get overly hungry and a little hypoglycemic so really all I want when I walk into a new place is a bunch of snacks.
I’m just imagining these little roll-ups being perfectly placed at an open house. SO DELICIOUS I might just take the apartment. More people should serve food at these things. Because snacks make everyone happy, right?
But seriously these little rolls came about because of my abundance of veggies and other goodies in my fridge. They’re kind of perfect because they’re healthy, low-carb and also totally poppable. The best part is that you can either use fresh zucchini or cucumber from your garden (or the market) to make up the roll. The inside is up to you!
What is in the cucmber roll ups?
Cucumber or zucchini: Just slice or peel thin strips of either veggie with either a mandoline or a vegetable peeler. You’ll want them to be thick enough so that they hold your fillings and so that they won’t fall apart once you roll.
Spreads: You can either use your favorite hummus or pesto. I chose pesto but I’ve also make a spicy hummus version which was FANTASTIC. For a party, I recommend serving both! Guests go crazy for these little bites.
Fillings: I had a ton of lactose free GO Veggie! Mozzarella slices in my fridge so I threw some of those in the cucumber roll ups for added flavor & protein! Next time I might try their Pepper Jack slices because I’m a firm believer that nearly all of my meals need to have a little kick.
I added turkey to these but you could also leave these vegetarian by adding in extra veggies of choice such as carrot strips, bell peppers, etc. (I used red bell pepper & spinach!)
Finally, you have to do is roll them up and secure with a toothpick. SO SO EASY! Just remember not to load them with too many things or you won’t be able to roll ’em up.
These make a great snack, make-ahead appetizer or even a recipe you can do with the kids by letting them pick their own fillings. Pizza zucchini rolls, anyone? I think yes.
If you make this or any other recipe, be sure to tag #ambitiouskitchen on Instagram so I can see your creation. In the meantime, I’d love if you liked my Facebook page to stay up to date with healthy recipes, inspiration and posts! xo.
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
Low-Carb Pesto & Turkey Cucumber Roll-Ups
Ingredients
- 3 medium cucumbers (each will yield about 6 slices)
- 1/4 cup store-bought basil pesto
- 6 slices GO Veggie Lactose & Soy Free Mozzarella Slices, cut into ½ inch strips
- 6 oz deli smoked turkey breast, shredded
- 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced into matchsticks
- 1/2 cup spinach, shredded
- salt and pepper, for seasoning
Instructions
- Slice the cucumbers lengthwise on a mandoline at about a 2mm setting. If you don’t have a mandoline, you can always use a vegetable peeler. Place the cucumber slices on parchment paper and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Spread about 1 teaspoon of pesto on each cucumber, then evenly distribute cheese, turkey, bell pepper and spinach on each. Sprinkle with a little salt and black pepper.
- Roll up and place seam down. If you want an even nicer presentation, you can stick a toothpick in the middle for easy appetizers! Serve with extra pesto or sauce of choice. Makes about 18 rolls.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by GO Veggie! Foods. All opinions, text and recipe are my own. Thanks for continuing to support AK and the brands I work with. Xo!
I was a little skeptical of these because I figured the zucchini would break and it would be a mess…but I needed a quick lunch, and boy was I wrong. These are delicious!! I sliced the cucumbers with a mandolin, and they worked great. I used pesto on some but also used another sauce I made called muhammara (a blend of roasted red peppers, toasted walnuts, and pomegranate molasses.) so good! Thank you for the recipe!
Nice!! So happy they held together well. LOVE muhammara and bet it would be incredible in here. Such a great lunch!
Love these refreshingly new recipies and ways of combining our fav veggies!
So happy you’re a fan, Mary! 🙂
Hands down the best roll I have made during this time, thanks a lot for sharing this amazing recipe. Please keep sharing more ^.^
So happy to hear that!
This is a great snack to make – hearty and so delicious, and look fun to eat! Then save room for something a little sweet after!
Yes! Plenty of protein to keep you satisfied. I’m all about a little sweet treat after, too 🙂
Wow! Made these with hummus, carrots, spinach, and smoked salmon. I want to eat them all!
Delish!
Looks great! The only question is what can I substitute turkey for ? I am a vegetarian 🙂
Food is a necessity in life and along with providing the body with the necessary energy to run itself there are many other functions that it does. For instance, food is also a treat for the taste buds and can be an enjoyment in itself. At the same time, food is what provides the body with necessary vitamins and nutrients which keep the body healthy and fit. There are foods which are anti-aging in nature while others provide a boost to the immune system. There are also super foods which contain all the necessary nutrients required by the body. Then again some foods help you to lose or gain weight as necessary and the list goes on. Usually it is not possible to consume all the necessary foods as major meals and this is the reason that one needs to rely on snacks.
MMMmmmmmm~!!! Me likey paleo sushi!!! I’m gonna try this the next xhance I get for snackage 😀 😀
yuck!! store-bought pesto is horrible if you’re italian. make it at home with fresh basil, olive oil, parmesan cheese, pine nuts
Brilliant! I have all the ingredients necessary for this wonderful looking lunch idea!! 🙂
Yes! I’ve been wanting more uses for my mandoline. Such a nice, lite summer nosh
Wow! These look fantastic! What a great light and healthy lunch!
These look delicious! I don’t know why I’ve never thought to use cucumber as a rollup before! Ingenious!
When I saw these on snapchat I knew I had to have them. I love how pretty they are. They would make such a great summer appetizer. <3
I absolutely love the idea of cucumber roll ups and I have a feeling my kids will too! Pinned!
these look SO good! we’re all on the road a ton this summer in my house, and i’m fully intending to whip these up for take-along lunches. thank you for creating them! 🙂
Omg, I cannot wait to make these for my daughter! What a great school snack/lunch these will be! Thank you!
So perfect and light for summer!!
Those look amazing, friend!
Monique, these look to die for! Would love to make these, but afraid they wouldn’t last long! 🙂 So pretty, too.
Girl… I want to eat about 100 of these right now.
Hahaha I’d go CRAZY on these too! Super tasty! Imagine putting spicy chia cheese inside and dipping them in Sriracha! Wouldn’t that be amazing?
Loving how pretty these look! Totally impressive to bring to a party! I need to make these for a healthy afternoon snack. Have you tried Laura’s Lean deli meat? I found it on sale at the grocery store the other day and am obsessed! I bet these would be yummy with shrimp and pesto too. Mmmmm I need to stop typing and start doing!
You are so right! Realtors SHOULD have these as snacks.. they would totally have me buying the house too! Love all the colors and flavors! Pinned!
I love these. They are so fun and look delicious! And moving = the worst. I’ve moved a lot in my life, and whether its 3000 miles or 3 miles, it’s always still a big pain in the butt. I hope you find something you love soon!
LOViNG this. Wishing I had it for lunch today!!