These cucumber sushi rolls without nori sheets are a fresh and light alternative to classic sushi. Thin cucumber strips form the outer shell and are filled with sushi rice, creamy cream cheese, avocado and carrot. Not only does it look pretty, it tastes delightfully fresh and crisp.
Here you can see how we prepared them before rolling them up. Simply place your ingredients on the cucumber slices:
Read also: Make summer rolls yourself
Photos by Lara, meinhaushalt.at
Wash the sushi rice thoroughly until the water runs mostly clear. Cook according to the package instructions and then let it cool slightly. Stir rice vinegar with sugar and a pinch of salt and gently fold into the still-warm rice. Then let it cool completely.
Wash the cucumber and, using a vegetable peeler or regular peeler, slice lengthwise into as thin, wide strips as possible. Lay the strips briefly on kitchen paper to absorb excess moisture.
Peel the carrot and finely grate it. Halve the avocado, remove the flesh and cut it into thin strips.
On a large board or a sushi mat, lay the cucumber strips side by side, slightly overlapping, so that a continuous rectangular surface is formed — like in the photo above.
Spread the cucumber strips thinly with cream cheese. This makes the filling creamier and helps it hold together better when rolling.
Spread a narrow line of sushi rice along one side. Next to it or on top, place the grated carrot and the avocado strips.
Important: Don't use too much filling, otherwise the cucumber roll will be difficult to close later.
Roll the cucumber sheet as tightly as possible starting from the side with the toppings. A sushi mat can help with this, but it also works if you roll carefully with your hands.
Place the finished roll seam-side down and let it rest briefly.
Using a very sharp, lightly moistened knife, carefully cut the roll into pieces about 2–3 cm wide. Clean and moisten the knife again from time to time.
Arrange the finished cucumber sushi on a plate and serve with a small dish of soy sauce. If you like, you can also sprinkle sesame seeds over them or serve with wasabi and pickled ginger.
Cucumbers contain a lot of water. Therefore you should pat the cucumber strips dry after cutting them. The sushi rice should also be completely cooled.
When rolling, also work as compactly as possible and let the finished roll rest for a few minutes before cutting.
The recipe can be easily adapted. Good options include:
Smoked salmon
Tuna
Shrimp
Tofu
Mango
Bell pepper
Edamame
Chives
For a vegan version, simply use plant-based cream cheese.
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