i can't believe it's nut tuna!

this brilliant mock tuna salad recipe is so darn tasty, you won't believe it's nut tuna!=)

Oh My this is a Tuna!
posted by Ocean on the Raw Freedom Community Forum

1 Cup raw sunflower seeds (soaked)
1 Cup raw walnuts (soaked)
1/8 Cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
1/2 tsp garlic (minced)
1/2 tsp kelp flakes
2 T nama shoyu

In food processor blend seeds, nuts, lemon juice, garlic, kelp, and nama shoyu.

Transfer to bowl and add:

1 pickle chopped (Bubbies pickle)
1 tsp Ume Plum vinegar (or apple cider vinegar)
1 tsp Herbamare seasoning
3 T Bubbies pickle juice
1 T fresh dill weed (chopped)
1/4 Cup onion (chopped)
1/4 Cup chopped celery
1/8 Cup parsley (chopped)

Stir by hand until mixed. 

kelli's notes: 

serve on raw bread, collard/chard/romaine wraps, or a bed of mixed greens. (pictured above on lisa's onion bread with alfalfa sprouts.)

for soaking, leave the walnuts and sunflower seeds in a bowl of water anywhere from 4 to 12 hours (usually i soak mine before bed, drain them in the morning, then place them in the fridge until i'm ready.) 

nama shoyu is raw, unpasteurized soy sauce. i've been using bragg's liquid aminos instead as the two are similar. you could also use soy sauce or just salt, to taste. any vinegar or pickle of choice would do, but to keep it raw and most nutritious i use bubbies' delicious pickles and raw apple cider vinegar. omitted were ingredients i didn't have: herbamare seasoning, dill and parsley.

kelp flakes/granules can be found in most health food stores or asian markets. kelp and other sea vegetables are naturally high in potassium iodide, which i mentioned previously, benefit thyroid health. daniel vitalis has made an excellent video on how to make kelp pills to help protect the thyroid gland against potential radiation exposure: A Simple, Inexpensive At-Home Radiation Remedy.

so, some of you may be thinking, 'why go through all the trouble; why not just eat canned tuna'?

first, studies have shown that canned/packaged tuna contains high amounts of mercury that exceed the levels deemed to be safe for human consumption. mercury is harmful to the nervous system, especially in babies and children. (according to wikipedia, "In March 2004 the United States FDA issued guidelines recommending that pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children limit their intake of tuna and other predatory fish.")

fish is recommended in the human diet for it's high amount of protein and omega-3 fatty acids. one cup of walnuts contains a whopping 18 grams of protein and is a very rich source of omega-3's. in the above nut tuna recipe, no mayonnaise is needed, which makes it much lower in saturated fats and free of empty calories.

in my opinion walnuts are a healthier, more compassionate choice for tuna salad. commercial tuna netting is reeking havoc on marine life. fishing for food with a pole and line to feed your family is one thing - huge ships capturing and killing all kids of marine life in nets the size of small cities is another.

as my brother says about nut tuna, "it tastes just like tuna, without the fishiness!" my mother is in love with it and can't stop raving; the kids i sit thought it was real tuna, but anti-all-tuna john still refuses to try it. he has no idea what he's missing... oh well, more for me!=)