Spicy Tortilla Rollups are layers of flavor starting with a spicy pesto base and ending with fresh baby spinach. Roll up tight, slice and pop in your mouth.
We often have big holiday parties with a mix of family and friends. They all know each other from years past so it is always lots of fun!
One of the things I have learned as a host is to prepare as much as I can in advance and make it simple.
I’d really like to share a recipe I made using one of Tabasco’s sauces. It’s not the splash here and splash there of a very hot hot seasoning but an actual sauce that is used in recipes as a flavoring.
Don’t get me wrong. You can put it all over any taco to your heart’s content but for this party, I would like to take advantage of its smoky pepper sauce flavor and treat the guests to something special.
We’ll all be in the party mood in no time. Also, my rollups are all gone so I need to go shopping again. That’s okay though.
Spicy Tortilla Rollups only take a few minutes to prepare.
I would love to tell you a little story. Years ago, I was very lucky and I got to visit Tabasco’s McIlhenny Co. on Avery Island in Louisiana.
I will never forget it – meaning it was so cool.
You drive onto the island passing huge oaks with Spanish moss dripping from the limbs. The ‘factory’ was a beautiful big old sprawling brick building.
A tour guy took us inside and there were lots of vats and I remember two levels. We had to wear masks like those painters masks because of the pepper fumes. I loved it!
Needless to say, he took us through this area very quickly and then we got to the bottling area. All these little bottles lined up and being filled by ingenious machinery.
Capped and labeled and ready to enjoy. I still have my little 2″ bottle souvenir. Unopened, of course. Right in the front corner of my pantry.
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Spicy Tortilla Rollups
Ingredients
- 10 whole wheat tortillas
- 1/4 cup sun dried tomato pesto
- 2 tablespoons Tabasco Green Jalapeno Sauce
- 8 ounces roasted red bell peppers you can buy them in a jar
- 1/4 cup onion finely diced red onion
- 15 ounces black olives - about 15 ounce can, large pitted black olives, sliced
- 10 ounces baby spinach
- toothpicks
Instructions
- To a small bowl add the pesto and Tabasco Jalapeno Sauce. Mix well and set aside.
- Lay all of your tortillas out on the counter.
- This makes everything go very quickly and you can see that you are dividing all of your ingredients evenly.
- Spread the sun dried tomato pesto (link for homemade pesto) mixture all over each tortilla in a thin even layer. It is only about 2 teaspoons each tortilla.
- When you go to lay the layers keep in mind that you just want a bite of this and that in each bite that you take.
- Lay strips of the roasted red bell peppers all in one direction. About 5 strips, widely spaced all over each tortilla.
- Sprinkle about 5 black olives, sliced, on each tortilla.
- Lightly sprinkle the finely diced red onion over each tortilla.
- Lay about 5 to 7 baby spinach leaves on each tortilla. These actually touch and sometimes overlay each other. Don’t go all the way to the top edge with the spinach. Leave at least an inch so that when you roll up the tortilla the spinach stays inside the tortilla and does not stick out.
- Roll up each tortilla as tight as you can going the direction where the red bell peppers are laying widthwise as you roll.
- Lay on a cutting board.
- Stick a toothpick in the exact center of the tortilla to keep it closed. Not too close to the edge so that the tortilla does not tear. Grab quit a bit of the tortilla with the toothpick. See my photos for a visual.
- Now, you are looking down at the tortilla with a toothpick grasping the center. About every 1 1/2? or so, to the left and right, stick another toothpick to help keep the tortilla closed.
- Next, with a very sharp knife slice through the tortilla in the center space between each toothpick. You will get 6 appetizer rounds out of each tortilla. The ends are to go in a baggie and eaten as a snack – later.
Nutrition
TO MAKE AHEAD:
Lay the cut rollups in a hard-sided container. Cover with its lid or with saran wrap. You want to keep the air out so they don’t dry up. Refrigerate until the party.
They will keep in the fridge 3 to 4 days.
Here’s one more picture but of another delicious and very popular roll-up. Pesto Tortilla Rollups!
That is just great Becky! I love them too (blush) but I also really like your addition of mushrooms to the second batch. It’s a great way to use extra veggies. Thanks so much for letting us know!
I made these twice this weekend and they were delicious! the Sun Dried Tomato Pesto makes the roll ups! I added spinach leaves as a base on the tortilla before layering the ingredients, and I added a layer of thinly sliced mushrooms on top of the olives. I still topped the ingredients with spinach leaves, too, but had the mushrooms on hand and tried them with my second batch! This recipe is a keeper!
What great party food! I love that they’re on sticks to keep them together and pepped up with Tabasco sauce!
Oh yes! This looks like the perfect (and easy!) party food I’m after this season – thanks for sharing 🙂
Jane x
Great make ahead party food, that even non vegetarians would enjoy (me being in that category).
Ginny these look adorably delicious! Absolutely LOVE spicy snacks, so these are going to be perfect whip up at my next gathering. Also, very jealous you got to visit Tabasco’s McIlhenny Co.!!
It is great you see that Suzanne. It is what I strive for in my recipes. Thanks so much!
This seems like a recipe that everyone could like even if they are not vegetarians. Very versatile.
I love anything spicy and I love that these rollups can be made in advance. Tabasco is my go-to hot sauce and I really like the chipotle tabasco. It’s great for anything Mexican. I’ve been wanting to go on that tour next time I go to New Orleans. It’s good to know you enjoyed it!
These sound so good! Do you make your own sun dried tomato pesto or buy it? Thanks!
Haha! Come on over Emily!
Ginny, these rollups look fantastic. I’d even scale back the recipe a bit to make them as a healthy snack!
I love the simplicity of this recipe – so perfect for the busy holiday season! Any chance you have room for one more at your party?! #client
I wish I lived near you, Ginny! love these healthy finger food!
What a great way to feed a crowd! Love the spiciness too!
Tortilla roll-ups are my thing, I eat them constantly! I love your spicy version. Perfecto!
Oh my gosh, these are truly stunning. I am in love.
I adore any type of roll up and these look amazing! Sounds like a great way to spend Christmas Eve!
This is the perfect party appetizer!
Ooh, I love that you put some heat into these. Looks like perfect holiday party food!
These roll-ups look great! What a perfect holiday party food. I love the flaovrs you used – I’m such a spicy food fan!
I’m so jealous! I love Tabasco and would have loved to have toured!! I Love these roll ups. Such a great appetizer for a crowd!
I love roll ups! I haven’t had them in ages, so I definitely need to make them soon. Love the spicy aspect to these, too. That green Tabasco is my favorite and I’m so jealous that you go to visit their factory.
Oh, these sound and look fantastic. I love that they’re also pretty darn healthy – always a welcome addition to a rich holiday spread. I know I’d love these.
Roll-ups are the perfect party food! I love that you made these spicy!
I love that you used Tabasco!! We live about an hour and a half away from the Tabasco plant in Louisiana. My husband’s grandparents and many family relatives worked there years ago. I love any sort of rollup especially knowing they have a family favorite in there!
Thank you so much Kate! That makes me feel so good!
Such a fun recipe. I love finger foods. And these are perfect for holiday parties!
Thank you so much Martha! People love them 🙂
Thanks so much Brenda!
Oh, have fun! Keep calm and prepare ahead. 🙂
What a beautiful, delicious appetizer! And I loooove the photos!
Hahaha, thanks Melanie!
Sure Thing Sylvia! Thanks for the nice compliment too!
Yum – I’d be happy to eat these for dinner!
These not only look delicious but they are so festive looking too – perfect for holiday parties!
What a great party food! My kids will love this 🙂
Anytime and you are welcome! 🙂
Sure! It is just a matter of substituting what you like. Thinly sliced and sauteed mushrooms would be great. You could even chop up some walnuts or almonds and sprinkle a little inside.
I am all about turning on the heat…and these spicy tortilla rollups are such a great party idea!!
We’re big Tabasco fans! These bites are perfect for parties and tailgating!
Love roasted red peppers, what a great appetizer finger food!
I’d use button mushrooms or even golden raisins in place of olives.
These are absolutely perfect to bring to our next Christmas party!
I like that you can make these in advance. I’m hosting Christmas this year and need all of the help I can get!
Add me to the Tabasco lovers club! These apps sound delicious!
Wow! These just look so pretty–I’m going to give them a try for sure! Thnx!!
Lovely starter for the Vegan and Vegetarians in the family but none of them like olives. Can you suggest what I can use instead as I would like to make them. Thank you Deirdre
If I was at your party, I would park myself right beside these rollups and munch away. They look so good!
perfect party food! thanks for the idea