PALEO (ish) STUFFED ZUCCHINI ROLLS WITH ROASTED RED PEPPERS AND CREAM CHEESE

Fantastic fresh creamy little bite size stuffed zucchini rolls, these are so versatile and a easy on the go  paleo (ish) lunch or snack, quick to assemble and lots of variations on fillings so you will never get bored of these.  I have simply stuffed these with cream cheese (non paleo), sweet roasted red peppers and basil.

My geeky science bit...

The red pepper is full of beta carotene, vitamin A, a strong antioxidant, protects your heart and immune system, organ and blood cleansing.  Zucchini super low in calories and fat, gives you vitamin A,C, folate, potassium, choline, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids.  Cream cheese has vitamin A, K, B12, niacin, folate, choline, omega 3 and 6 fatty acids, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, selenium, high in cholesterol, carbs and fat.

  Cream cheese is not paleo, but I allow myself the odd hint of cheese approx every four weeks, my body has set this natural pattern and I am happy to listen.

Ingredients 

(Makes 12)

1 zucchini

300g tub of cream cheese

I red pepper

Few sprigs of basil

First blacken the skin of the red pepper over an open gas flame evenly, once you have burnt the skin all over place the pepper in a bowl and cover the top with a plate, this will create some steam and make it easy to rub off the burnt skin with some kitchen roll.  Next pull the stork and seeds out of the soft skinned pepper and finely chop.

Take a potato peeler and slice the zucchini from top to bottom creating your long slice, discard the skin slices and repeat until you have used most of the zucchini, heat a griddle pan, lay the zucchini slices flat on the pan and cook one side only, take off the griddle when you can see the griddle line through the slice.  Leave to cool then spread a generous teaspoon of cream cheese along the length, sprinkle over some red pepper and roll up loosely.  These will keep in the fridge for a couple of days.

Alternative filling suggestions, spiced chicken fajitas and guacamole, chicken and mushroom pate, cream cheese and crispy bacon, smoked salmon and cream cheese with dill, chunky coriander chilli salsa and sour cream, soft scrambled eggs and crispy bacon, ham and gooey cheddar cheese, Crab meat drizzled with lemon, Brie and bacon and coronation chicken.