Carrot Cake and Zucchini Bread Sandwich Sushi
Every Wednesday, I show you what’s in The Bug’s lunchbox, and today #SundaySupper is doing the same. If you’ve see some of my What’s In The Lunchbox Wednesday posts, you’ve seen variations on these, so now here’s the recipe for Carrot Cake and Zucchini Bread Sandwich Sushi.
Carrot Cake and Zucchini Bread Sandwich Sushi
You all know that The Bug is a pretty good eater as far as the variety of foods he eats, but table manners? He is borderline barbaric. I try. Really, I do – insisting on utensil use, encouraging one bite at a time, chewing with our mouths closed, demonstrating proper napkin use. But what happens? Every food is finger food. And usually he is not just using his fingers. Entire handfuls of food get shoved in the mouth, then the hands are wiped all over the shirt and pants. Food ends up on the floor, and he usually seems on the verge of choking.
And what does he like to do as much as eat? Talk. Usually with the mouth full of food. Lovely.
This makes my mom a nervous wreck, get The Hubby all riled up, and leaves me with a absolute mess. I mean, I know he loves food, but seriously, you would think we starved the kid, and he was consuming the first meal he has had in days, and then didn’t know where his next meal was coming from. Except that three minutes later he will be requesting a snack. Ugh!
These adorable little rollups, though – definitely acceptable to eat with your hands. His approach of shoving three in his mouth at once, probably not advisable, but popping one at a time is totally OK. And a super fun little fakeout takeout meal for the kiddos. Plus there are a million ways to make ’em, and you can probably even sneak in some fruits and veggies that your little one may not dig in its original form. I mean, The Bug claims to hate zucchini (well, unless it looks like tater tots or is smothered in cheese). Here I am showing you cream cheese & carrots and peanut butter & zucchini, but think about bananas & sunflower seed butter, avocado & those little Laughing Cow cheese wedges, apples & almond butter… the possibilities are endless.
So, as adorable as the little Asian-inspired plates and lavender chopsticks are, that is totally food blogger styling. This is what The Bug’s lunch really looks like.
OK, I am lying – at this point, he still cannot be trusted with open containers, unless they have water. And I am prepared to change his clothes immediately after consumption. I told you – barbaric!
And remember that we have a #SundaySupper chat at 7 PM each on Sunday evening. We tweet throughout the day using the hashtag #SundaySupper, then we all gather to share ideas, recipes and answer questions from 7-8 PM ET. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest Board for more fabulous recipes and food photos. You’ll find all the other recipes that the #SundaySupper crew is brown bagging at the bottom of this post.
What do you like to pack for your kids or yourself for lunch?
Carrot Cake & Zucchini Bread "Sushi"
Ingredients
For the Carrot Cake "Sushi"
- 1 large tortilla I use whole wheat, but you can use regular, gluten free, etc.
- 2 T cream cheese I used light
- 2 T finely shredded carrots
- 1 T dried cranberries or other dried fruit
- 1 T pistachios or other nuts, or omit if you have an allergy
For the Zucchini Bread "Sushi:
- 1 large tortilla I use whole wheat, but you can use regular, gluten free, etc.
- 2 T peanut butter or other nut or sunflower seed butter
- 2 T finely shredded zucchini
- 1 T raisins or other dried fruit
- 1 T pecans or other nuts, or omit if you have an allergy
Instructions
For either version:
- Spread the cream cheese or peanut butter on the tortilla to the ends.
- Evenly distribute the shredded veggies, leaving about 1 inch on one of the end uncovered with fillings (so that the spread make it "stick" and stay closed when you roll it up).
- Sprinkle the dried fruit and nuts evenly on top of the veggie filling.
- Roll up tightly and cut into about 1 inch pieces.
Notes
Enjoy!
And check out what is in the #SundaySupper lunchboxes!
Sandwiches, Wraps and Entrees:
- Baked Ham and Cheese Rolls from Big Bear’s Wife
- Balsamic Butter Beans with Smoked Sausage and Spinach from Eat, Move, Shine
- British Bento Lunch Box from Ninja Baking
- Carrot Cake and Zucchini Bread “Sushi” from Cupcakes & Kale Chips
- Greek-style Spinach Hand Pies from Kimchi MOM
- Homemade Uncrustables from Treats & Trinkets
- Indian Spiced Chicken Meatball Wraps from Soni’s Food
- Madam Wong’s Pizza Rolls from Food Lust People Love
- Malibu Chicken Tortilla Pinwheels from Home Cooking Memories
- Peanut Butter & Jelly Rolls from Killer Bunnies, Inc
- Pizzadillas from La Cocina de Leslie
- Popcorn Chicken Bento from The Urban Mrs
- Potato Mushroom and Cheese Focaccia from Family Foodie
- Sausage Roll Ups from The Food Army Wife
- Scotch Eggs from My Cute Bride
- Stawberry and Chicken Pasta Salad with Strawberry Vinaigrette from Table for Seven
- Turkey, Pesto and Sun-Dried Tomato Wraps from La Bella Vita Cucina
Munchies, Salads and Sides:
- Almond Citrus Salad from No One Likes Crumbley Cookies
- Banana Bread Muffins from Curious Cuisiniere
- Best Basic Hummus from Supper for a Steal
- Blueberries & Cream Granola from The Messy Baker
- Blueberry Egg Bagels from What Smells So Good?
- Cheese Cracker Recipe from Growing Up Gabel
- Creamy Orzo & Peas {Dairyfree} from The Not So Cheesy Kitchen
- Mini Griddle Cakes from Noshing with the Nolands
- Quinoa and Green Bean Salad with Tibetan Dressing from Healthy. Delicious.
Sweet Treats:
- Biscoff White Chocolate Blondies from Cookin’ Mimi
- Caramel and Rolo Rice Krispie Treats from That Skinny Chick Can Bake
- Cinnamon Zucchini Brownies from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Cocoa Crispy Sunbutter Bars from Alida’s Kitchen
- Cookie Butter Granola Bites from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- “Free” Brownies from Jane’s Adventure in Dinner
- Honey Oat Bars from Magnolia Days
- No Bake Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Cookies from Pies and Plots
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Granola Cookies from Peanut Butter and Peppers
DON’T MISS OUT! MAKE SURE TO FOLLOW ME FOR YUMMY RECIPES!
Melanie @ Just Some Salt and Pepper says
These are such a cute idea!
Brianne Izzo says
Thanks! I think they are fun!
Jennifer D. says
These were delicious! I sent them to school with my 4th grader today so we will see what she thinks. The three year old loved the zucchini ones! I was so surprised because he doesn’t like peanut or almond butter and had never had zucchini, but he loved them and asked for more! Said he didn’t like the carrot ones but at least got him to try them. Thanks for the great recipe!
Brianne Izzo says
So glad you tried them! Thanks for the feedback!!
Amy Kim (@kimchi_mom) says
Easy and fresh! And great presentation!
Brianne Izzo says
Thanks Amy!
[email protected] Family Feast says
I love this recipe Brianne! We are definitely making this for our daughter…she always watches us eat our sushi and loves playing with chopsticks and this would be a great way to her to ‘eat sushi’ too!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
I think all boys lack table etiquette. Oh well, what can you do? This is such a creative treat. I love it!
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
Oooh, had to let you know I gave this recipe to some nutrition clients of mine – they LOVE the carrot cake one!
Brianne Izzo says
That is awesome to hear! Thanks!
Sarah | Curious Cuisiniere says
Such a fun idea! I was wondering what these would be when I saw your title. I might just make this for lunch for myself today! 😀
Serena @ Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
These look like the perfect addition to the kids lunch box and so very cute! Love it!
Kiersten @ Oh My Veggies says
Um, and here I’ve been eating sushi with cucumbers and rice in it all these years? This is a WAY better version of veggie sushi. I mean: Carrot Cake! It’s no contest. 😀
Brianne Izzo says
I know!! 🙂
iscribbler says
I love this idea! What a great snack and I love how it’s scaled down to one. 🙂 Perfect! Thank you for sharing. I’m definitely going to have to give these a go!
Alida says
My three year old has recently mastered shoveling whole fistfuls of food in his mouth, be it peas, corn, Cheerios, you name it. I’m pretty sure he would be devouring these little sushi rolls. What a cute idea!
Brianne Izzo says
Glad mine isn’t the only one!
Sarah Reid, RHNC (@jo_jo_ba) says
Oooh yes please!!
Tara says
These are great and packed full of yummy nutritious ingredients. Love them!!!
Diana @EatMoveShine says
What a super fun idea!!!! Very creative, and a nice healthy option!
Shannon R @Killer Bunnies, Inc says
Hah, this might get me to eat zucchini too. I just don’t like it but the rest of the filling sounds great.
Renee says
What a creative way to make “sushi” rolls for kids, well, kids of all ages.
Erin @ Table for 7 says
I love this! What a great way to get some veggies (and fun!) into your kids lunch.
Lauren @ Healthy Delicious says
These are brilliant! Totally in love.
Miss Messy says
What a cute idea! 🙂 These are super!
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
I can get into this kind of sushi!
Brianne Izzo says
Haha, I’m not a big regular sushi eater myself.
Conni @FoodieArmyWife says
I love these! And your little bug sounds familiar. I have one that will eat a heaping feast, like Thanksgiving dinner, and will have a growling stomach an hour later….and our sons are just like him!!! 🙂
Brianne Izzo says
Must be a boy thing. I was always around girls, so this is new to me.
Lane @ Supper for a Steal says
I love these. This summer with my camp kids we made similar, but they still were picking out the veggies. I love the sound of that carrot cake one. I would totally make that for myself for lunch. Yum!
Brianne Izzo says
The Bug doesn’t always watch me make them. I tell him what’s in it, but maybe if he saw me, he’d pick it out too. But give him anything with cheese or peanut butter, and he doesn’t complain.
Nichole C says
What a cute idea! I don’t have kids, yet…but I want these for ME 🙂
Brianne Izzo says
Definitely acceptable adult food too 🙂
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
How cute! I love your little sushi rolls! What a creative dish!
Brianne Izzo says
Thank you!
[email protected] & Trinkets says
Ahahaha, the little boy I used to sit for would do the same thing. At lunch time, I would have to tell him to take human bites, or he would shove everything that he could fit in his mouth and then smile angelically at me with his mouth full of half-masticated food. But these are so super cute and creative, I can almost understand the urge to shove three in one’s mouth!
Brianne Izzo says
Must be a boy thing 🙂
Liz says
What a cool “sushi,” Brianne! Sweet and savory side by side…such a lovely lunch box offering!!
Brianne Izzo says
Thanks Liz. As long as The Bug loves them, that’s what matters!
The Ninja Baker says
Omedeto gozaimasu (Congratulations) on an ingenious way to introduce fruits and veggie’s into your kidlet’s diet. Your sushi are so cute and appealing…I might want to shove 2 or 3 into my mouth at once, too =)
Brianne Izzo says
Thanks! He is good about eating veggies, but I never shy away from a chance to get more in him!