An April Fool’s twist on sushi: fruit and coconut make sweet sushi rolls
~ by Deanna Segrave-Daly, RD
My April Fool’s Day usually consists of trying to pull a fast one over on my Dad. Which is no easy feat as he is the ultimate jokester.
One year, I convinced him the star basketball player for the Sixers got traded out of the blue. Another year, I nail polished one of his hands as he dozed on the couch in front of the T.V. He discovered his manicure later that day when he went to buy gas and the cashier commented that they had the same color on their fingernails.
But when it comes to food, fooling with it – such as sneaking in veggies or lying about the ingredients really in a recipe – that just doesn’t appeal to me. So, instead, in the spirit of April Fool’s Day, I figured I’d give an unexpected twist to your typical sushi.
Enter Fruit and Coconut Sushi Rolls.
I saw this recipe on Adora’s Box for Sweet Sushi a few months ago and thought it was a clever (and tasty) idea. Adora’s sushi is take on kakanin – which are sweet Filipino snacks and cakes. I took her idea and did my healthier/dietitian twist to it which included using:
- short grain/sushi brown rice
- light coconut milk
- omitting the sugar
- unsweetened shredded coconut (which I toasted)
You could use any type of fruit/jam combo you’d like – I went with a berry theme as that’s what I had on hand. Next time, I’m going to go all out tropical and make a mango & banana version.
This is also a great activity to do with the kids – have them chose their favorite fruit for their sweet sushi roll. You could even do a fruit, peanut butter and jelly version!
PrintFruit and Coconut Sushi Rolls (for April Fool’s Day)
- Yield: 14-16 slices 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup uncooked short grain brown rice
- 1 (15 ounce can) light coconut milk
- 1/3 cup water
- 10–12 blackberries or raspberries
- 2 tablespoons blackberry or raspberry jam
- 1/3 cup unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted
Instructions
- Add rice, coconut milk and water to a pan. Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for about 45 – 50 minutes. Cool slightly.
- Using a sushi mat covered with parchment paper, spread the rice completely over the paper (have a bowl of warm water near by to wet your hands to keep from sticking to the rice.) On the side closest to you, 1-inch from the start of the mat, spread jam in a 1-inch wide column across the length of the mat. Line up berries on top of the jam.
- Start with the side closest to you, start to roll the sushi, squeezing tightly with each rotation.
- Transfer roll to a cutting board. Cut roll in half and roll each half in the coconut. Then slice each half into sushi sized pieces.
Notes
Adapted from Adora’s Box Sweet Sushi recipe
What’s the best April Fool’s joke you ever pulled off – or was pulled on you?? Do you ever make fun foods for April Fool’s Day? Would love to hear from you!
EL Mehdi
Tuesday 27th of November 2018
I wish i found out about this post on April fool's day xD I tried your recipe this past weekend and it was great, my family loved it <3
Deanna Segrave-Daly
Wednesday 28th of November 2018
That's great!! You can do it for someone else April 1, 2019
Kaleigh @Lively Table
Thursday 31st of March 2016
How adorable! Can't wait to try them!
ea-the spicy rd
Wednesday 2nd of April 2014
I think I might have to buy a sushi mat just so I can make this! So much fun :-) I bet my kiddos would love it too! Dinner party at my house coming soon!!! xo
Shashi
Tuesday 1st of April 2014
Just today a coworker told me that security informed him that a car matching mine had a flat tire in the parking lot - I totally fell for it - only to find out later that I was being fooled! These sweet coconut sushi rolls sound like a wonderful treat!
Deanna Segrave-Daly
Wednesday 16th of April 2014
ooh that's a good one (and so glad your car was fine in the long run :)