These Fresh Veggie Zucchini Roll-Ups are crisp, crunchy and flavoured with creamy Caesar dressing. A perfect party appetizer or healthy snack for kids!
Disclosure: I have been monetarily compensated by Litehouse Inc. but all opinions in this post are my own.
These Fresh Veggie Zucchini Roll-Ups are so good, so fresh, and so fun to eat!
When Litehouse asked me to create a recipe using fresh, vibrant ingredients that was fun, innovative, and creative, I had a gazillion ideas circulating in my head. I spent several hours in my kitchen, experimenting with different ideas, using Denis as taste-tester. I finally decided on these Zucchini Roll-Ups. Finger food! Fresh! Crunchy and delicious.
With zucchini blossoming in my garden and oodles of fresh veggies available in local stores and markets, focusing on a recipe that was fresh and easy seemed like the logical choice.
If you've followed my blog for a while, you know how I like to create fun finger foods and appetizers. These Zucchini Roll-Ups are an ideal appetizer for any time of year because you can vary the veggies you roll up inside, depending on what is in season.
While I often make my own vinaigrettes, I've been a fan of Litehouse dressings and dips for years. Cold is where it's sold! I buy their preservative-free, refrigerated dressings right in the produce section, next to the fresh veggies and fruit.
Litehouse Caesar Dressing and Dip is one of my favourites. It's a full-bodied dressing loaded with garlic and Parmesan that Denis loves. It tastes like I've gone to all the work of making my own. It paired perfectly with low-fat cream cheese in this recipe.
Preparing these healthy Veggie Zucchini Roll-Ups is simple, but here are a few tips to guarantee success.
1. Begin by combining cream cheese with Litehouse Caesar dressing. Set aside in the refrigerator to allow the flavours to blend.
2. Choose a zucchini that is about 8 -10 inches (20 - 25 cm) long. Use a vegetable peeler or a mandolin to slice it lengthwise into long very thin ribbons. If the strips are too thick, they will break when you roll them. The first few strips will be too narrow for these roll-ups, so save them for a salad or some other use.
TIP: Lay the zucchini strips on paper towel and pat dry to absorb excess moisture so the Caesar-cream cheese mixture will adhere.
3. Cut the vegetables you've chosen into thin matchsticks. I used bell peppers, carrots, cucumber, green onion, red onion, sugar snap peas, lettuce leaves and fennel fronds, but you can use your own combinations, making sure you have a variety of colours to keep the roll-ups interesting.
4. Spread the Caesar-cream cheese mixture evenly but thinly on each strip. Lay the cut vegetables on top, keeping their ends even with one long edge of the zucchini strip, then roll it up.
The Caesar-cream cheese mixture acts like glue to hold the roll-ups together. You won't need a toothpick if you've sliced the strips thinly.
5. Serve with extra Caesar dressing for dipping, or refrigerate in a covered container until serving time. These zucchini roll-ups taste best soon after you've assembled them. Eat them while they're crisp and crunchy!
These Veggie Zucchini Roll-Ups make a healthy sushi-style snack for kids' lunches, too! I watched as the kids dipped and devoured these, crunching away on fresh veggies straight from the garden. Finger food is fun food for any age, but especially for kids.
We want our kids (and grandkids) to learn to love a variety of fresh vegetables. Why not help them to do so by serving veggies with fresh, preservative-free dressing that they love? Real veggies deserve real dressings!
You might also like this Creamy Cannellini Lemon Feta Dip. One more way to enjoy fresh veggies!
Watch this VIDEO to see how EASY it is to make these Fresh Veggie Zucchini Roll-Ups!
Fresh Veggie Zucchini Roll-Ups
Ingredients
- 4 oz. (1/2 brick) cream cheese low-fat if desired
- 2 tbsp Litehouse Caesar Dressing
- 1 medium zucchini 8 - 10 inches long
- assortment of fresh vegetables, cut into matchsticks
- 1/2 cup Litehouse Caesar Dressing and Dip, for dipping
Instructions
- Combine softened cream cheese and Litehouse Caesar dressing in a small bowl with a fork or use a small food processor to combine.
- Slice zucchini lengthwise into thin strips. Use a mandolin or a sharp vegetable peeler. Lay out on paper towel and press dry to remove excess moisture.
- Slice fresh vegetables into thin matchsticks.
- Spread the Caesar-cream cheese mixture evenly but thinly on each strip. Lay the cut vegetables on top, keeping their ends even with one long edge of the zucchini strip and roll. Roll tightly, adding an extra dab of mix to secure the end.
- Serve immediately, or chill in refrigerator until serving time. Best consumed on the same day.
Video
Nutrition
This recipe was inspired by Good Housekeeping.
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Karly says
These are SO much fun-- actually gives me a little motivation to eat more veggies! Maybe it'll work on my kids too 😉
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Karly! You could stuff them with your favourite veggies or those that your kids will eat. They're like little bouquets!
Dana says
Elaine! These are so beautiful and colorful. You always have such healthy yet innovative sides and snacks. These would look fabulous set out at a cookout or al fresco dinner party.
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Dana! They'll be on the menu this weekend!
Cathy says
What a great idea! This is a very appealing way to encourage more vegetable consumption and a fantastic party food!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Cathy! They did turn out to be pretty cute!
Nicoletta @sugarlovespices says
They look beautiful, Elaine! Colorful, tasty, and healthy! What a fun way to eat your veggies 🙂 .
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Nicoletta! They ARE fun!
Colleen Milne says
These are SO pretty and fresh looking! They would be perfect for parties. Love this idea!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Colleen,
I used some of the veggies from my garden plus some peppers, but I'm thinking of all the different things I could use at other times of the year, too!
Diana L. says
I absolutely love this idea! What a fun way to present a salad at a party.
I'm also addicted to the Litehouse dressings. I've been putting it on everything!!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Diana! Yes--their Caesar dressing is delicious and their Blue Cheese is a favourite of mine, too.
Sean@Diversivore says
I knew these were gorgeous when I saw them, but I must say that the cream cheese component really made me go from 'nice' to 'NIIIIICE!' - it just ties together the veggies and the dressing, bringing in a creamy and tangy textural element that works so nicely with all that wonderful fresh produce. Great job, and brilliant execution!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks, Sean! We eat with our eyes first, so it's fun to create food that people can't wait to try! It's always interesting to me to see which items get devoured from an appetizer tray first! These were a hit.
MDIVADOMESTICA says
Looks Fabulous! So fun and fresh. The vegetable combination has so much colour.
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks! They're fun, easy and super tasty!
Justine | JustineCelina.com says
Elaine these are absolutely adorable! Such a unique way to enjoy your veggies this summer. I completely agree -- I make my own vinaigrettes most of the time but when I'm in a pinch it's great to have Litehouse products on hand. Great recipe and beautifully photographed!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Justine! Fun finger food that's healthy, too!
Marie-Pierre Breton says
So elegant and fresh! A great bite for a party or even as a side for BBQ season! Seems fairly simple to make, and looks so great with all those colors! Yummy!
Kelly Ohnona says
such a beautiful recipe! totally my kind of appetizer! thanks for sharing!
Flavour & Savour says
Mine too--fresh and full of vegetables!
Gloria @ Homemade & Yummy says
These are just the cutest little party apps. Great flavours, fresh ingredients and fun to make and eat. It doesn't get better than this for easy entertaining.
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Gloria--finger foods are fun foods, and these are a healthy option!
Jeni says
What a great appetizer idea! Cream cheese plus caesar dip? Yes and yes please! 🙂
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks! They are SO good!
Tatiana says
Fun and healthy idea! I can tell how crispy it is when you bite it... I am sure my kids would love helping me making this summery rolls!
Flavour & Savour says
Great idea Tatiana! That way they can choose the veggies they like best!
Nicole Shillings says
Well aren't these just gorgeous! What an elegant and unique appetizer. Perfect for a special occasion.
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Nicole. You're right--I think they'd be great for a bridal or baby shower!
Sophie | Delightful Plate says
They look so cute, and what a great way to eat more vegetables! I love party appetizers that don't require a lot of time to prepare but still look impressive.
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Sophie! They're cute for a party, and kids appreciate the cuteness factor too!
Sarah says
These are stunning! I love serving veggies for parties and this is definitely a showstopper!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Sarah! I find that people always like to have a veggie option at parties.
Constance Smith says
I love recipes like this. I think they are a great way to get kids to eat their veggies. They're like "dipping salads."
Flavour & Savour says
Definitely kid-approved!
Danielle Cushing says
These look awesome! Such a cool idea and perfect for my beach vacay next week!
Flavour & Savour says
Thanks Danielle! Have a great vacation!