Effortless Plant-Based Leftover Holiday Collard Wraps with Savory “Turkey” Jackfruit

Transform your holiday bounty into a refreshing, plant-based meal! These Leftover Holiday Collard Wraps, featuring savory “Turkey” Jackfruit, are the perfect way to enjoy your post-Thanksgiving leftovers in a light, yet incredibly satisfying, form. Prepare to fall in love with your holiday food all over again!

The warmth and joy of Thanksgiving linger, a cherished memory of shared meals, hearty laughter, and perhaps a spirited game night (mine certainly involved more than a few energetic rounds of Things – a game I enthusiastically recommend!). Now, as the festive decorations begin to transition towards the magic of Christmas, we’re often left with the delightful challenge of holiday leftovers. While the comfort of another plate of stuffing and mashed potatoes is tempting, sometimes our bodies yearn for something lighter, a fresh culinary embrace after the rich feasting. This is where these incredible collard wraps come in.

After indulging in the sumptuous spread of holiday delights – from creamy sweet potato casserole and perfectly roasted Brussels sprouts to vibrant cranberry sauce and delectable butternut brownies – your palate might be longing for a touch of green, a meal that feels both wholesome and incredibly flavorful. Imagine repurposing those beloved holiday tastes into a quick, easy, and healthy meal that requires minimal extra cleanup. These Leftover Holiday Collard Wraps beautifully combine all your favorite post-feast flavors into a gloriously fresh, vibrant, and satisfying bite.

My recent Thanksgiving celebration was a true feast of communal cooking, where everyone brought their signature dish. The table was a vibrant mosaic of plant-based delights: my grain-free sweet potato casserole, my cousin’s famously delicious roasted Brussels sprouts (a recipe I absolutely must acquire!), a colorful quinoa salad from my aunt and uncle, and my mom’s classic cranberry salad and corn casserole. When it comes to dessert, we indulged in an array of pies and my personal favorite butternut brownies. The beauty of these wraps is their versatility. You likely have your own unique assortment of leftovers – a bit of this, a dash of that – so feel free to adjust the proportions and get creative with your additions. For me, this past holiday left me with an abundant supply of sweet potato smash, roasted Brussels sprouts, and a delightful low-sugar orange cranberry sauce. Truly a bounty to transform!

The core concept behind these wraps is elegantly simple: gather all your delicious holiday leftovers and lovingly encase them in a fresh, crisp collard green leaf. Then, savor the joy of a healthy, flavorful meal that you can easily enjoy on repeat throughout the holiday season, right up until Christmas. If you’re familiar with my recipes, you’ll know my fondness for these ‘elephant ear’ greens. They are an unparalleled, naturally grain-free and gluten-free alternative to traditional wraps, offering a sturdy, pliable texture that holds generous fillings without tearing. While smaller collards have their place, for these substantial wraps, I strongly advocate for the largest leaves you can find. The more surface area, the more room you have to stuff with your cherished leftovers, creating a truly impressive and satisfying parcel. Preparing them is simple: just rinse, trim the tough bottom stem, and gently shave down the thick central rib so it lies flush with the leaf, making it easier to roll without breakage. Collard greens are also packed with vitamins K, A, and C, offering a nutritious boost that’s perfect for a post-holiday reset.

To assemble these vibrant wraps, I like to start by spreading a generous layer of sweet potato smash across the collard leaf. This creates a wonderfully creamy and slightly sweet foundation upon which to build the rest of your flavors. Next, pile on any roasted vegetables you have – the Brussels sprouts are a personal favorite, adding a delightful savory note. Then, a splash of tangy cranberry sauce is essential; its bright, tart flavor provides a perfect counterpoint to the richness of the other ingredients, elevating every bite. But what if you’re looking for a substantial, savory centerpiece to tie all these wonderful components together?

That’s where our incredible ‘Turkey’ Jackfruit comes in. This plant-based innovation offers a wonderfully ‘meaty’ texture that’s perfect for stuffing these wraps. You can whip up this savory jackfruit on your stovetop in under 30 minutes, transforming simple ingredients into a deeply flavorful filling. Young, unseasoned jackfruit, when shredded and simmered, becomes incredibly absorbent, soaking up the rich flavors of vegetable broth and a blend of classic dried herbs like thyme and rosemary. This creates a robust, savory profile that wonderfully complements the other holiday leftovers. For ultimate convenience, I highly recommend using organic, unseasoned, pre-cut young jackfruit pieces, such as those from Edward & Sons, which significantly speeds up the preparation process. A subtle splash of vegan Worcestershire sauce can further enhance the umami depth, adding that extra touch of familiar savory flavor. If jackfruit isn’t your preference, or you’re seeking other plant-based protein options, consider incorporating baked tofu or tempeh, cooked lentils, fluffy quinoa, or even brown rice into your wraps for an equally satisfying and nutritious meal.

These Leftover Holiday Collard Wraps are an ideal solution for those moments when your refrigerator is overflowing with delicious holiday food. I find immense pleasure in combining all these distinct flavors within a single wrap, mirroring how I tend to mix everything together on my plate during the actual holiday meal. The synergy of sweet, savory, and tart notes is truly exceptional. For those who might not be keen on collard greens, don’t let that deter you from this concept! You can easily substitute them with large kale leaves, vibrant Swiss chard, or even your favorite whole-wheat tortillas. The wraps, with their medley of moist and flavorful fillings, are incredibly delicious on their own, requiring no additional dressing or sauce. However, if you’re like me and enjoy an extra layer of creamy indulgence, a simple tahini dressing would be a delightful addition, bringing an extra touch of richness without overwhelming the existing flavors. Get creative, mix and match, and truly make these wraps your own!

I absolutely love seeing your culinary creations! If you decide to make these delightful Leftover Holiday Collard Wraps, please don’t hesitate to share your experience. Your feedback is invaluable and inspires me to continue creating more delicious recipes. Be sure to leave a comment below, along with a rating and review, so I can learn from your insights. And of course, I’d be thrilled if you shared your beautiful wraps on Instagram! Tag @flora_and_vino and use the hashtag #floraandvino so I can see and celebrate your plant-based masterpieces. For more wrap-tastic inspiration and other plant-based recipes, be sure to check out my Pinterest page – it’s a treasure trove of healthy and delicious ideas to pin and make later. You might also enjoy my Curried Sweet Potato Collard Wraps, Black Bean Collard Burritos with Beet Salsa, Rainbow Hummus & Collard Avocado Wraps, and Green Chickpea Salad Collard Wraps. Don’t miss out on future updates and exclusive content; visit my homepage and subscribe to get delicious recipes delivered straight to your inbox!

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