TURKEY PITA WITH CABBAGE, CUCUMBERS AND TAHINI DRESSING

Turkey Pita With Cabbage, Cucumbers and Tahini Dressing image

This shawarma-like pulled turkey sandwich, using Thanksgiving leftovers, is a great alternative to the mayo-and-cranberry-sauce fallback. Or it can be made any time of year with roast turkey, chicken or lamb.

Provided by David Tanis

Time 30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 18

Ingredients

2 cups very thinly sliced red cabbage
1 medium carrot, peeled and grated
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons pomegranate molasses, or 2 tablespoons lime juice plus 1 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon grated garlic
1 cup peeled diced cucumber
2 tablespoons chopped mint
2 tablespoons tahini
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Pinch of cayenne
1 cup plain yogurt (do not use Greek-style yogurt)
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 cups shredded cooked dark meat turkey, or a mixture of dark and white meat
1/2 teaspoon ground toasted cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground toasted coriander
Pinch of crushed red pepper flakes
4 large pita breads
A few radishes, thinly sliced (optional)

Steps:

Put cabbage and carrot in a bowl, season with salt and pepper, then toss with pomegranate molasses and 1/2 teaspoon garlic and set aside. Put cucumber in a separate bowl and season with salt and chopped mint.
Make the tahini dressing: In a small bowl, stir together tahini, lemon juice, remaining 1/2 teaspoon garlic and cayenne. Whisk in yogurt and season with salt and pepper.
Put olive oil in a cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Add turkey and let sizzle. Season with salt, pepper, cumin, coriander and red pepper flakes. Stir-fry for 1 minute and turn off heat.
Warm pitas briefly in a toaster oven and cut in half to make 8 pockets. Spoon some warm turkey into each pita, then a spoonful of cabbage, a bit of cucumber, some sliced radish, if using, and a large dollop of tahini dressing. Serve 2 filled pockets per person.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 510, UnsaturatedFat 14 grams, Carbohydrate 55 grams, Fat 20 grams, Fiber 8 grams, Protein 34 grams, SaturatedFat 5 grams, Sodium 820 milligrams, Sugar 14 grams, TransFat 0 grams