Check out this cartoon by Gemma Correll. It really made me laugh out loud. I'm not talking about the little LOL you text when you don't know what else to say, I made a terrible sounding surprised snort-chuckle when I came across this. (I am just oozing attractiveness sometimes).
It's sadly true, whether we like it or not, us veg are known for hummus. Now don't get me wrong, I do like a good hummus recipe now and then, but I think it's time we start to be known as something more than hummus-eaters. Let's be known as the people who always prepare the prettiest, most delicious treats. I want to hear all BBQ hosts shout "don't forget to invite those vegans! They always bring the best food!". It's time to surprise the crowd by bringing something that is, well, not hummus. Introducing Cucumber Avocado Rolls.
These aren't hummus! But they have more to offer than just being not hummus. Just look how pretty these little dudes are, they sure look and taste impressive. They are super simple to make too. All you do is whip up this avocado spread and smear it across a slice of cucumber and roll it up. Best yet, these are like little mouth explosions. Seriously, they will catch you off guard by how yummy they are. So save this recipe so you are ready for the next BBQ you are invited to.
Omnomnom.... Avocados...droool... There I go oozing attractiveness again. I made a double batch of the avocado mixture because it's great to spread on a sandwich.
To make, just toss all the ingredients (except the cucumber and paprika) in a food processor or blender. Or if you would like to do it by hand, finely mince the garlic and basil, and mash all the ingredients together with a fork until smooth and creamy.
Use a mandoline or potato peeler to cut long thin strips from the cucumber.
Take a cucumber strip and spread a thin coat of the avocado mixture along the length of the cucumber. A little goes a long way! Make sure to get some avocado all the way to the end, so it will stick the roll together. Roll it up! No toothpicks needed. Do the same with the rest of your cucumber strips. Sprinkle with a little paprika and serve right away.
Cucumber Avocado Rolls
Ingredients
- 1 avocado
- ¼ cup fresh basil
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast (optional)
- 2 teaspoons lime juice
- 1 clove garlic
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 English cucumber
- Smoked or sweet paprika for garnish
Instructions
- Add the avocado, basil, nutritional yeast, lime juice, garlic and salt in a food processor or blender. Blend until smooth stopping to scrape the sides as needed.
- Use a mandoline or potato peeler to cut long thin strips from the cucumber. Take a cucumber strip and spread a thin coat of the avocado mixture along the length of the cucumber. A little goes a long way! Make sure to get some avocado all the way to the end, so it will stick the roll together. Roll it up! No toothpicks needed. Do the same with the rest of your cucumber strips. Sprinkle with a little paprika and serve right away.
Notes
Nutrition
Bon Appetegan!
Sam.
Kat says
Saving recipe for later! 🙂
Can't stand cucumber though, so I always switch it out with zucchini or yellow squash.
Hmmm, I should arrange it with some red peppers for an even more colorful display! They'd probably be good with the avocado mash too!
A really quick way to ripen avacadoes, place them in a shallow bowl on the counter above the dishwasher before running it. 1-3 loads (days) and it'll be ready! Once or twice is usually enough. Sadly our dishwasher died quite some time ago, and there's no way to get a new one in the house. Hand washing everything for everyone sucks. 🙁
And I've got to keep a closer eye on the
avocados! lol
Deb Zak says
Beautiful, healthy.....just like you! Can't wait to make these.
Katie says
Super yummy! Thanks for the recipe!
Sam Turnbull says
You're most welcome 🙂
Yawar says
absolutely! I’ll be bringing these to parties
Sam Turnbull says
Awesome!
Sonya says
Ty for posting this recipe. Cant wait to try it.
Sam Turnbull says
You're welcome!
Kelsey says
Wouldn't recommend this recipe to broke college students with a rachet potato peeler and definitely would not recommend using a blender; I tried two different blenders to make the avocado mix and all it did was grind up the avocado and left the rest of the ingredients in tact. I had to transfer back and forth between blenders and mix it numerous times in order for it to even come close to mixing. And don't even get me started on peeling the cucumber-- on this part, I feel as though my Wal-Mart peeler just wasn't doing the job. It wasn't peeling evenly and after all the effort and a solid hour I put into this simple recipe, I gave up out of frustration. All-in-all, I got one cucumber roll, delicious avocado mix, and so, so many dirty dishes. Overall, this recipe was a nightmare for me. I'm sure it tastes delicious, though, with the right equipment.
R.I.P. my patience.
Sam Turnbull says
Sorry you didn't enjoy it, Kelsey! For future, or anyone else reading, you can always mash the avocado by hand in a bowl with a fork, and if you do not have a mandoline or potato peeler that is working for you, you can always slice the cucumber as thinly as possible with a knife. 🙂
Malissa says
How do you keep the avocado from browning if you make it ahead for a party
Sam Turnbull says
The lime juice will stop the avocado from browning so you can make the filling ahead of time. They would need to be assembled fresh however.
Laura says
Hi! Forgive me if this was answered above...is the lime juice in this recipe sufficient to keep the avocado from browning if these are made a bit in advance of serving?
Thanks!
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Laura, I say this in the recipe but this recipe is not ideal for making in advance as the cucumber quickly softens and goes limp. These are meant to be made fresh and serve right away. Enjoy!
Angie M says
I saved this recipe probably a year ago, and finally made them today, WOW. They are delicious, crispy, and the avocado is delicately creamy and light, tastes so fresh and clean. I used smoked paprika, will be making again and again!
Sam Turnbull says
Yay! So happy you loved them, Angie 😀
Chantel says
Wonderful easy to make and it is delicious. Thanx for sharing
Sam Turnbull says
So happy you enjoyed them!
Susanne says
I think burpless cucumbers would work best for this recipe. Regular cucumbers have too soft of a center where all the seeds are.
Sam Turnbull says
Never heard of burpless cucumbers! I used English cucumbers.
Susanne says
I think "burpless" is an old-fashioned word for "seedless". In fact, English cucumbers are seedless--'burpless' ! ;-). I can imagine they would work better for this recipe. I'll try again with them.
Sam Turnbull says
Haha ok good to know!
Brittany says
Soooooo.....I am new to all of this but this recipe looks awesome but I am not a big fan of regular cucumbers. I however do like English cucumbers, they don't seem to be as cucumber-y, would that work instead of a regular cucumber?
Thanks!!
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Brittany, yes I think any cucumber should work just fine 🙂
Abbey says
I made them, but used cilantro instead of basil, lemon instead of lime and I omitted the nutritional yeast. Soo good! My whole family loved them. (We're all kind of avocado crazy.)
I just have one question; how did you get yours looking all pretty? I had a hard time peeling them - I used a potato peeler. Especially once I got to the middle where all the seeds are. It made a watery mess and I ended up wasting a bunch of the cucumber.
But besides the difficulty peeling, this is a wonderful delicious recipe. I will definitely be making them on a regular basis if I can figure out an easier way to peel the cucumber perhaps... 🙂
Sam says
Sounds lovely!! I think my potato peeler was just very sharp, and the cucumber was very firm. I was also careful to press down as I was peeling to make sure the peeler didn't slip up. This peeler is a similar peeler to the one I use. Hope that helps! Glad you enjoy the recipe 🙂
Cathy Plotnick says
What is the purpose of the yeast?
Cathy Plotnick says
No worries.. saw it answered below.
Sam Turnbull says
No problem! Hope you enjoy 🙂
Laura says
I just made these & OH MY GOODNESS! New appetizer idea. Do you by chance know any of the nutritional values? Thank you for sharing! Now I need to practice presentation.
Sam says
Yay! So happy you loved them Laura. Good idea, I added the nutritional information for you below the recipe 🙂
Randi says
Could you use zucchini instead of cucumber? It does not have as much water as cucumber so it might be possible to make ahead.
Sam says
Welcome Randi!
I'm not sure, I have never tried it, but if you give it a go, let us know how it turns out for you 😀
Rebecca Vendetti says
I am DEFINITELY trying these next week! 🙂
Sam says
I hope you enjoy them!
Lindy says
FANTASTIC! I didn't have any basil on hand so I foraged for some dandelion greens which did the trick. I also added a pinch of cayenne pepper. Thanks for such a delicious recipe -- can't wait to try it with the basil!
Sam says
Thank you Lindy! So happy you loved it! Dandelion greens sound like a neat idea here! 😀
Jennifer says
Hi! Just wondering what the purpose is for adding basil instead of cilantro? My guacamole usually has cilantro... thanks!
Sam says
Hi Jennifer,
This is not guacamole, it's just an avocado spread to fill the cucumbers. I love the taste of basil, but if you want to try cilantro, that sounds delicious too! Go for it.
Enjoy!
Sam.