Jen's Food Challenge: Challenge #82

This post actually has a few points besides the recipe. First this recipe goes with the 31 Day Vegan Challenge with Marlena Torres I am participating in. Check it out.
Second, this is also about improvising. I have made this before and did not have all the same ingredients on hand this time around, so I made do with what I had. I'm going to give you the ideals in the ingredient list noting the other options available.
Third, you can have a fun taco party with your family, friends, and/or kids. This was just for me and my husband, but I lined the bowls up on the counter with the shells and we assembled what we wanted.
Forth, I had left overs of the "rice" and veggies so the next day I throw them over greens for a delicious salad. Saved me time and nothing was wasted.

Ingredients for the Cauliflower "Rice":
Cauliflower (small to medium head)
Green pepper (I used red b/c that's what I had on hand. I like the green better b/c it make the rice more colorful)
1/2 Small onion (red or yellow)
2-3 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 lemon
1 clove garlic
sea salt (to taste)
cumin (to taste, we use a lot in my household!)

Ingredients for the Veggie Filling:
1 large zucchini (or 2 small)
2-3 carrots
1 red or yellow pepper
1/2 small onion (same color as above)
1/2 lemon
1-2 cloves garlic
cumin

Ingredients for the Lazy Guacamole:
2-3 avocados
1/2 to 1 lemon
1-2 cloves garlic
sea salt (to taste)
Note: I have also made this using Avocado Salad instead of the lazy guacamole.

Additional Ingredients:
Salsa (homemade or your favorite kind) or Pico de Gallo
Head of lettuce (I had to use Romaine hearts since that's what I had. It works fine, just very messy. I much prefer to use lettuce leaf cups.
red cabbage - option instead of the lettuce for "shell"
God quality taco shell - option instead of lettuce for the kids or those adults that aren't into the lettuce shell. My husband has had it with the lettuce cup as well as the taco shell

So let's get started!

Step #1 - Cauliflower Mexican "Rice". Put cauliflower florets into food processor and pulse a few times until size and shape of rice. Finely dice onions and green pepper (red shown in photo). Toss everything into a bowl and add zested garlic, salt, cumin, tomato paste and lemon. Mix well and adjust seasonings as needed. Set aside.

Step #2 - Dice zucchini, carrots, onion, and pepper. Place in a new bowl and add salt, cumin, and lemon. Mix well, adjust seasonings, and set aside.

Step #3 - Lazy guacamole. I do this version when I don't feel like adding onion, tomato, etc. Half avocados, remove pits, and place into bowl. Break avocado up into small chunks. Zest in garlic and add sea salt. Smash until achieve your desired consistency (chunky or creamy)

Step #4 - Assemble! Below you will see that I made with Romaine heart leaves. The head of lettuce works much better because the lettuce cups make a better shell and are less messy. But I didn't want to run to the store for a head of lettuce when I already had a decent substitute. Stuff your "shells" and then fold up to eat. I like to do layers of "rice", then veggies, then guacamole, then top it off with salsa or pico de gallo. If you use salsa, it would not technically be raw.