Wafer thin slices of daikon are spread with a fresh cilantro pesto, layered with cucumber, avocado and sprouts and then rolled up tight in these bite sized appetizers.
When was the last time a daikon radish ended up in your basket at the store or farmer’s market?
Chances are it’s one of those vegetables you may have passed by dozens of times and never noticed or known what to do with. The giant white vegetable that resembles a carrot but with the firm, crisp texture and crunch of a radish can be easy to miss which is a shame considering how wonderfully versatile it is.
Milder than most radishes, they can be eaten cooked or even pickled, but offer the most benefits raw due to the enzymes they contain that help with the digestion of fats and proteins which are most plentiful in their uncooked state.
Sliced wafer thin, their pliable nature makes them excellent roll material and a light and easy appetizer or snack. Bite-sized daikon rolls are elegant, but easy to make and take on picnics or to parties.
You take long sheets of daikon and spread them with a layer of a chunky herb and nut paste made from cilantro, green onions and pumpkin seeds, top them with batons of cucumber, slices of avocado, and a handful of sprouts then roll them up tight.
The cilantro pumpkin seeds pesto is the kind of thing I make extra of and keep on hand in the fridge to assemble these more easily throughout the week (just make sure to top the jar off with a layer of oil to keep it fresh).
Bright cilantro is a nice compliment to the lively character of the daikon, the cucumber adds even more crunch while the avocado and pumpkin seeds add a creamy, nutty mellowness to the mix but you can vary the filling endlessly depending on what you happen to have on hand.

Daikon Rolls with Cilantro Pumpkin Seed Pesto (Raw, Vegan, Paleo)
Wafer thin slices of daikon are spread with a fresh cilantro pesto, layered with cucumber, avocado and sprouts and then rolled up in these fresh bite sized appetizers.
Ingredients
- ½ cup/56g raw pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
- ½ a large bunch or 1 small bunch of cilantro, stems removed
- 1 to 2 small green onions
- 2 Tablespoons/30ml extra-virgin olive oil or avocado oil
- 1 Tablespoon/ 15ml freshly squeezed lime juice (plus more lime to serve)
- ½ teaspoon sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
- 2 daikon radishes, peeled and sliced lengthwise into long thin strips on a mandolin
- ½ an English cucumber, peeled seeded and cut into batons
- ½ an avocado, thinly sliced (optional)
- A handful of sprouts or microgreens (like radish or broccoli), rinsed and gently patted dried
Instructions
- Pulse the pumpkin seeds, cilantro, green onions and ½ teaspoon salt in a food processor until coarsely chopped.
- With machine running, gradually add the olive oil and lime juice, scraping down the sides as necessary blending until a coarse purée forms, adding a teaspoon or two of water as necessary to create a spreadable paste.
- Season pesto to taste with additional salt and freshly ground pepper if desired.
- Spread a small amount of the pesto mixture along the inside of the daikon slice. Top the edge large edge closest to you with the cucumber batons, avocado slices and sprouts.
- Roll the daikon tightly away from you and place seam side down on a plate. Place a weighted plate on top to hold the rolls down while you finish the rest. (You can also use a toothpick to hold the rolls together.)
- Repeat with the rest of the slices and serve immediately sprinkled with an extra pinch of salt and a squeeze of lime if desired.
Notes
Gluten-Free, Grain-Free, Vegan, Raw, Paleo
Recommended Products
As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
4Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 197Total Fat: 16gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 373mgCarbohydrates: 12gFiber: 5gSugar: 3gProtein: 3g
Nutritional information for recipes contained on this website, such as calories, fat, carbs, etc. are only estimates and are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Sylvie Shirazi is the recipe developer and food photographer behind Gourmande in the Kitchen. For the last 10 years she's been making eating more healthfully easy and accessible with gluten-free, grain-free, paleo and vegan recipes that are free from processed ingredients.
Brian @ A Thought For Food says
I do love daikon, but, yeah, I've never cooked with it before. I think you've made an inspired dish here, Sylvie. Making me think that I need to get to the store and load up my basket with daikon.
Nancy/SpicieFoodie says
It never occurred to me to use daikon like this. Fantastic and beautiful recipe, Sylvie!
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
So pretty and healthy, Sylvie! I agree with Georgia, these appetizers are lovely and little works of art. Your styling and photography is impeccable here. And, the cilantro pumpkin seeds pesto is calling my name! I need to get into this crunchy daikon action soon. Thank you for sharing, my friend. Pinning!
Eileen says
These rolls are such a fabulous idea! So perfect for cramming your cace full of all the best veg of early spring. I've never made anything quite like this before, but you'd better believe I'm going to give it a try now. 🙂
Katrina @ WVS says
These are super tasty looking! I love this idea!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
These are like little works of edible art! So beautiful and I bet delicious!
Shaina says
Daikon is one of my favorite radishes. I actually bought one without purpose just this weekend because it was there. We love adding them to salads for a bit of crunch, but I love the idea of rolling long slices up with pesto and micro greens. I can't wait to try this.
Christine from Cook the Story says
I'm pretty sure that, as delicious as they sound, your daikon rolls are just too gorgeous to eat! Great job!
alison @ Ingredients, Inc. says
gorgeous as ever! Pinned
Rosa says
So pretty. A wonderful idea.
Cheers,
Rosa