A Deliciously Sustainable Solution: The Zucchini Wrap Revolution

At Sustainable Action Now, we believe that making a positive impact on the planet starts at home, with the choices we make every day—and few choices are more impactful than what we put on our plates. That’s why we’re thrilled to present a simple, delicious, and eco-friendly recipe that turns a common garden staple into a culinary superstar: the Easy Low-Carb Zucchini Wrap. This isn’t just a recipe; it’s a testament to the power of using fresh, seasonal ingredients to create something truly special, reducing food waste, and embracing a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle.

When summer arrives, many of us find ourselves with an abundance of zucchini. Instead of letting this versatile vegetable go to waste, we’ve found the perfect solution. These zucchini wraps are not only a brilliant way to use up your harvest but also a fantastic, low-carb alternative to traditional bread and tortillas. They’re naturally gluten-free and can be adapted to fit a variety of diets, making them a truly inclusive meal option. This recipe embodies our core philosophy: small changes in our kitchens can lead to a bigger, positive ripple effect. For more recipes like this one, be sure to check out our collection at https://sustainableactionnow.org/category/recipes/.

Crafting Your Zucchini Wraps: A Step-by-Step Guide

The beauty of these wraps lies in their simplicity. With just a few ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a satisfying and flavorful meal.

The Ingredients: Fresh and Flavorful

  • Fresh Zucchini: The star of the show. We recommend using one large zucchini to create two generous wraps. Look for a zucchini with a consistent diameter to ensure uniform slices, but don’t worry if it’s not perfect—this recipe is very forgiving. If you have yellow summer squash on hand, it will work just as well, offering a slightly different flavor profile.
  • Melty Cheese: The cheese acts as the “glue,” holding the zucchini slices together while adding a rich, savory flavor. An Italian blend of mozzarella, parmesan, and provolone is our top choice for its robust taste and excellent melting properties. However, cheddar or any other melty cheese will also work wonderfully.
  • Spices: A simple sprinkle of fine sea salt, freshly ground black pepper, garlic powder, and a dash of Italian seasoning is all you need to elevate the flavor. Feel free to experiment with your favorite spice blends to make it your own!
  • Oil: A light spray of olive oil or your preferred cooking oil helps the zucchini soften and the cheese crisp up to perfection.

The Method: Simple Steps to Culinary Excellence

  1. Prepare for Greatness: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
  2. Slice with Precision: Using a mandoline or a very sharp knife, carefully slice the zucchini into thin, uniform rounds. Consistency is key here to ensure even cooking. The goal is to create a square “sheet” of zucchini that will become your wrap. Arrange the slices on the parchment paper, overlapping them slightly to form a solid, continuous base—a rough 5×5 square is a great starting point for each wrap.
  3. Season and Cheese: Lightly spritz the zucchini with olive oil spray. Season evenly with your chosen spices: salt, pepper, and garlic powder, along with a sprinkle of Italian seasoning if you like. Generously top each zucchini “sheet” with your divided cheese.
  4. Roast to Perfection: Place the baking sheet in the oven and roast for approximately 18-25 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the zucchini is tender and the cheese is beautifully golden, bubbling, and just beginning to brown at the edges.
  5. Assemble and Enjoy: Let the wraps cool for a minute or two. Once they’ve firmed up slightly, they are ready to be filled. The possibilities are endless! We love making traditional “sandwiches” with fillings like lunch meat, fresh avocado, sliced tomatoes, microgreens, and pickled red onions.

This recipe is more than just a meal; it’s a celebration of fresh produce and mindful eating. It’s a prime example of how you can create something delicious and nutritious without relying on heavily processed ingredients. By choosing to make something like these zucchini wraps, you’re taking a concrete step towards a more sustainable food system. Find more delicious, planet-friendly recipes like this on our website at https://sustainableactionnow.org/category/recipes/.

Ingredients

  • 1 large zucchini
  • ⅔ cup melty cheese, divided I used an Italian blend but also tried it with mozzarella – cheddar would also work great
  • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • Olive oil spray
  • Optional: Italian seasoning
  • Fillings of choice: lunch meat greens, avocado, tomato, etc

Instructions

  • Pre-heat the oven to 400 degrees F and prepare a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
  • Cut the ends off of the zucchini and discard. Slice the zucchini into very thin rounds using either a mandolin or a very sharp knife. I have tested this with super thin slices and slightly chunkier slices and both turned out great, the bake time may just vary a little. The most important thing is to get the same thinkness of rounds for each piece that you cut.
  • Arrange the rounds into 2 wraps that are roughly 5 zucchini rounds long and 5 zucchini rounds wide with the pieces all slightly overlapping. It’s ok if there are some SMALL gaps but overall you want a solid piece with no holes.
  • Sprinkle each wrap evenly with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning (if using). Divide the cheese evenly among the 2 wraps.
  • Roast for 18-25 minutes or until the zucchini is softened and the cheese is bubbling and starting to brown. Let cool slightly and then top with you desired toppings and ENJOY!

Nutrition

Calories: 172kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 38mg | Sodium: 545mg | Potassium: 289mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 573IU | Vitamin C: 18mg | Calcium: 282mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Happy cooking and happy sustainable living!