Summer is a time for graduation parties, pool parties, and other backyard get-togethers. Whether you’re planning a small picnic or a party, it can feel overwhelming to figure out how to feed people, and sometimes finger foods are the most convenient option. Enter: wraps and rolls!
Wraps and rolls are fresh-tasting, veggie-packed, and make it easy to get in a serving of whole grains—not to mention, they are also easy to make! Wraps and rolls can be served cold or at room temperature, and don’t get as soggy as sandwiches can, so they allow time for other party preparation tasks. Here are some wraps and rolls inspired by traditional street foods from around the world for your next outdoor gathering.
Mediterranean Gyros, Falafel Wraps & More
Food lovers throughout the Eastern Mediterranean are closely acquainted with gyros: meat cut from a spit, wrapped in pita, and topped with tzatziki. Eastern Mediterranean cuisine is also home to delicious falafel and hummus wraps, which are a hit with people of all ages, and are a delicious way to incorporate plant-based protein and fiber. If you’re creating a custom wrap sandwich from scratch, we recommend stocking up on pesto and/or avocado, which both contribute heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and an additional depth of flavor.
Asian Rice Wraps & Nori Rolls
We can thank Asian Heritage Diets for rice wraps and nori rolls. Fresh produce from your garden or farmers’ market haul combined with savory, tangy sauces and fish is the perfect summer fare. Rice-centric handhelds, such as onigiri (rice balls wrapped in nori seaweed with simple fillings) or temaki (handheld sushi rolls) are a feature of Japanese cuisine, and can be made ahead and kept chill before serving. In addition to rice, other whole grains like freekeh and millet also work well in a handheld wrap. Vietnamese cuisine has a particular genius when it comes to wrapping foods; with fresh or dried and rehydrated rice wrappers, called banh uot, many meals are put together by each person wrapping little bits of food with other little bits of food, and then dipping these wrapped foods into a sauce. Alternatively, you can plop the sauce inside of these Vietnamese Spring Rolls before adding other ingredients, then wrap. If you prefer some extra protein in your rolls, prepare these Shrimp Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce.
Latin American Heritage-Inspired Tacos and Handhelds
Tacos are a hit with people of all ages and can be adapted to feature a wide variety of summer ingredients, from grilled zucchini to fresh salsa to charred corn. If you’re hosting a party, set out the fillings and let guests assemble their own dish. If preparing ahead of time, wrap them individually in foil to keep them warm. A Chicken Salsa Wrap, a Tilapia Wrap with Corn Salsa, and a Red Pepper and Cabbage Wrap are all delicious ways to highlight seasonal favorites.
African Heritage-Inspired Wraps
Suya wraps are a common African wrap, featuring Nigeria’s popular grilled & skewered meats. Plop suya in a whole wheat wrap with Jollof Rice, and you have a smoky, spicy African fusion dish. Injera bread is an Ethiopian flatbread that is often served family style to scoop up flavorful stews, but it could also be remixed as a handheld with the stews folded into the flatbread as a wrap. Leafy greens are at the base of the African Heritage Diet Pyramid, and perhaps no green is better suited as a lettuce wrap alternative than the collard green, whose large leaves can comfortably nestle in all manner of fillings. Last but not least, no African heritage wrap would be complete without a final kick of flavor. We’re partial to pikliz, a Haitian inspired pickled slaw. But peanut sauces and herb-based sauces are also fan favorites.
At the end of the day, with whatever fare you choose to serve, remember your guests will not stress about the food as much as you will—and enjoying meals in the company of others is what matters most.
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