Looking for Healthy Super Bowl Snacks? Try these Pesto & Turkey Cucumber Roll-Ups.
Every year we have a Super Bowl party at our home, and invite all our friends. My absolute weakness is greasy-salty chips, and fatty dip. That and some buffalo wings, and maybe a hotdog or two or pizza, and you’ve covered all the essential junk foods of the world. So, I’ve tried every year to progressively upgrade from exclusively fats and carbs for Super Bowl snacks to adding a few healthy items.
Last year we had all the cliche’ Super Bowl snacks, but went a bit more healthy with the entree by barbecuing a turkey. It went over well. Preparation wasn’t too bad (just long), everyone took a slice when hungry, and it was a nice break from the fatty hot-wing appetizers. Well, this year we’re adding a few healthy super bowl snacks, that are easy to make and are very tasty. One of them is this Pesto & Turkey Cucumber snack. The recipe was taken from ambitious kitchen, with some slight variations that I’ve noticed help give it some flavor. I typically make half with turkey, and another half with poached or smoked salmon. I also add capers when using salmon, but the capers tend to roll off a bit. Also, I add a dash of Tabasco, and a bit more pepper, for some kick. I mean really – this is the Super Bowl after all.
Similar to classic sushi, this dish uses cucumber and avocado to give a healthy and refreshing flavor. This recipe calls for turkey and pesto, but it can just as easily use salmon. Slicing the cucumbers paper-thin can be pretty tricky, there’s no baking, grilling, or sautéing involved in order to get this appetizer to the table.
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: Both hummus or pesto work well. Guacamole is also a great idea. Spinach and Cucumber Spread or Dip can also work. When you’d like to use fish, a salmon spread is great but can add fats.
Fillings: The original recipe calls for GO Veggie! Mozzarella slices but many cheeses will do. Try to keep it light, as not to overpower your turkey. Add a dash of Tabasco sauce if you dare. For vegetation it’s still great, but add a bit more veggies. Some spinach leaves, or baby carrots work – not to mention help with the rolling.
- medium cucumbers (each will yield about 6 slices)
- ¼ cup basil pesto
- 6 slices mozzarella cheese slices, cut into ½ inch strips
- 6 oz deli smoked turkey breast, shredded
- 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced into matchsticks
- ½ cup spinach, shredded
- 1 dash of Tabasco sauce per roll-up
- salt and pepper
- 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.
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