Carrot Cake and Zucchini Bread Sandwich Sushi

8/18/13

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?

Print Recipe

Carrot Cake & Zucchini Bread "Sushi"

A fun takeout fakeout for your kids' lunchbox with endless options for getting in extra veggies or fruit.

Course: Lunch, Sandwich, Wrap

Servings: 1

Author: Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips

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

I give the recipes for the two varieties I made, but you can easily switch up or leave out any of the spreads and fillings based on your kids' likes, allergies, etc.

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