Mediterranean spring rolls is a fusion take on the traditional Vietnamese spring roll made with rice paper wrappers filled with fresh veggies, feta cheese, Kalamata olives and vermicelli noodles. This fresh and healthy MediterrAsian appetizer is served with a homemade Tzatziki.
When you think of spring rolls, what comes to mind? Something light, fresh and crunchy, right?!
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Today, we take this Vietnamese appetizer to another level by bringing in the same crunch, freshness and light texture in a fusion version of a Mediterranean spring roll. Mediterranean cuisine, with its rich history and diverse flavors, has captured our hearts and taste buds, but blending this dish with a hint of Vietnamese tradition is simply a cherry on top.
This MediterrAsian spring roll is a Greek-inspired light, and refreshing summer snack, filled with colorful veggies, just like a Greek salad filling in a spring roll. A thin rice paper wrapper elegantly blanketed over a layer of crunchy red cabbage, cucumber, creamy feta cheese, briny Kalamata olives, vermicelli noodles and aromatic freshness from parsley. A quick and healthy summer snack served with a side of homemade Tzatziki as a dipping sauce.
This quick weeknight meal won’t keep you stuffed at night. You can also replace any ingredients from the substitute list if you do not have some readily available. As a matter of fact, that’s how I stumbled across making this fusion vegetarian spring roll. Just with some leftover veggies and vermicelli noodles, I threw in some other ingredients and this MediterrAsian delight was born.
Just one bite, and I was amazed how this turned out. Yes, I'm sure many other people may have tried this out before me, but putting creativity to a dish with limited ingredients definitely challenges you to take bold steps. This is now one of those dishes that I prepare on a regular basis and keep experimenting with different ingredients, and this version is the best so far. Want to know how to make these spring rolls? It’s time to roll up your sleeves and embark on this culinary journey, keep scrolling to see how these turned out.
Ingredients for Mediterranean Spring Rolls
Herbs and Spices: fresh parsley
Regular ingredients: vermicelli noodles, cucumber, red cabbage, feta cheese
Specialty ingredients: rice paper wrappers, Kalamata olives
See recipe card for quantities.
Walk through the Recipe
Let’s begin preparing the Mediterranean spring rolls by keeping all the ingredients ready. We start off by cooking the rice noodles and setting it aside to cool.
We cut all the colorful vegetables and set it aside before putting the roll together.
In a wide shallow dish with warm water, we carefully dunk one rice paper and quickly remove it. Place it over a flat surface.
We gently place all the ingredients in the center of the rice paper in a uniform way where you get the taste of every ingredient in each bite.
As the rice paper becomes soft and pliable to work with, we gently begin to roll the paper from bottom to top. After we finish the first fold from the bottom, we tuck in both sides towards the center so that no filling falls out. We then complete the roll by folding the remaining roll towards the top. Repeat this process for the remaining rolls.
We then cut each spring roll in half diagonally to reveal the inner layers. You can also leave them whole if preferred.
These lovely spring rolls are finally ready. Serve it with a fresh homemade Tzatziki dip.
Substitutions
You can replace some of the ingredients in the recipe to suit what you have at home.
- Feta Cheese: Ricotta cheese, goat cheese, cottage cheese
- Vermicelli noodles: glass noodles, regular rice noodles, Quinoa if you do not prefer noodles
- Kalamata olives: black olives, green olives, capers for a non-olive substitute
Tips
- Soak rice paper wrappers properly: Dip each rice paper in warm water and quickly remove and place it over a flat surface. The rice paper will become soggy and fall apart if kept in the water for too long.
- Use fresh ingredients: Use only fresh and crisp vegetables and serve immediately for best results. Pair it with a creamy homemade Tzatziki dip to elevate the dish.
- Layer ingredients carefully: Place your ingredients in the center of the wrapper, leaving enough space at the sides to fold in.
- Folding technique: Start from the bottom and work your way towards the top while tucking in the sides before completing the roll. Remember to keep the roll snug while folding, but not too tight as the wrapper is delicate and might tear apart. Don't be discouraged if your first ones don’t turn out perfectly as you will get better at it each time you roll.
FAQs
Mediterranean spring rolls can be either vegetarian or vegan, depending on the ingredients you choose. If you omit dairy products like feta cheese and use vegan dipping sauces, you can make a vegan version.
Yes, you can prepare the fillings in advance to save time. However, it's recommended to assemble the rolls just before serving to prevent the rice paper wrappers from becoming too soft. It's best to enjoy Mediterranean spring rolls fresh for optimal texture and flavor.
Make sure you don't over-soak the rice paper wrappers in water as they should be pliable but not overly soft. Also, be gentle when handling the wrappers, and avoid overstuffing the rolls, as this can lead to tearing.
Mediterranean spring rolls pair well with dipping sauces like tzatziki, hummus, balsamic vinaigrette, or even a tahini-based sauce.
Related Recipes
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
- Prawns Koliwada (Mumbai-style spicy fried shrimps)
- Jerk Chicken Quesadilla
- Sumac Fries
- Crispy Brussels Sprouts Recipe (Indian style)
Fusion Recipes
Try out some of our specialty recipes:
- Jerk Shrimp Pasta (Rasta Pasta Recipe)
- Easy Crab Rangoon Egg Rolls
- Burnt Garlic Fried Rice
- Cevapi Sliders with Ajvar
Recipe
Mediterranean Spring Rolls
Ingredients
- 12 rice paper wrappers (round)
- 1 cup vermicelli noodles (cooked and cooled)
- 1 cucumber, julienned
- 1 cup red cabbage, sliced
- ½ cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- ½ cup feta cheese
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
Instructions
- Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions, then rinse them with cold water and let them cool completely
- Fill a wide, shallow dish with warm water. Take one rice paper wrapper and dunk it in the warm water and quickly remove and place it over a flat surface
- As the rice paper becomes soft and pliable to work with, we place the filling ingredients in the center of the wrapper. Add vermicelli noodles, cucumber, red cabbage, kalamata olives, feta cheese and sprinkle over parsley
- Begin rolling up from the bottom and work your way towards the top, tucking in the sides as you finish the first fold from the bottom. Repeat this process with the remaining rolls
- Cut each spring roll in half diagonally or leave them whole if preferred. Serve this with a creamy homemade Tzatziki dip
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