As a lacto-ovo vegetarian who last ate fish in 1988, I wasn’t giving my full attention to salads I would never eat (or make), but as usual the writing was enticing and the photos were colorful and fun, so I read on…and I’m SO GLAD I did, because a certain sea creature native to the Maldives has been on my mind in recent weeks!
Back in my high school days, the AP English teacher was a brilliant oddball whose assignments were spoken of with reverence. Coming into his class, you knew you’d be writing some fiction of your own, and reading some John Donne, and HEART OF DARKNESS. You would also have to analyze and memorize the following strange poem by Herman Melville, probably best known for his whale. We did read Melville’s BARTLEBY THE SCRIVENER, a novella which I quote to this day (“I prefer not to.”), but the poem really got its teeth into me. Perhaps the Maldivians do a version of their tuna salad with other large game fish, like this one. I don’t think I’ve ever read or heard anything about the Maldives other than this poem until today’s salad recipe…and anyone planning to make the salad might want to hold off on the poem until you’ve eaten and digested The Maldive Tuna.
THE MALDIVE SHARK
About the Shark, phlegmatical one,
Pale sot of the Maldive sea,
The sleek little pilot-fish, azure and slim,
How alert in attendance be.
From his saw-pit of mouth, from his charnel of maw
They have nothing of harm to dread,
But liquidly glide on his ghastly flank
Or before his Gorgonian head;
Or lurk in the port of serrated teeth
In white triple tiers of glittering gates,
And there find a haven when peril’s abroad,
An asylum in jaws of the Fates!
They are friends; and friendly they guide him to prey,
I LOVE a salade niçoise but haven’t made one in ages, so thank you for the reminder! And this isn’t salad content (more “salad adjacent”) but I have a good family friend who often makes me a tuna melt sandwich when I visit her. It’s so simple and straightforward, and also probably not getting on any trend lists, but it brings some damn joy into the world!
Loved all the slang! I’m constantly consulting the urban dictionary when ‘in the know’ people say things to me and I don’t understand the words. I appreciate that you spared us the use of “deep dive” into tuna salad, but of course you would spare us that! I laughed out loud at tuna’s public persona. Love the idea of a messy bun Niçoise salad!
Fabulous post, as always., Emily. A great way to start the day., with or without tuna.
A wish for the upcoming convo.....I certainly hope we can get our dukes up over the relative merits of oil-packed vs. water-packed tuna. There are a LOT of opinions on this heated topic such that I am uncertain where to plant my tuna flag.
Oh Emily. It would be so delightful to visit you at lunchtime and share your leftovers because everything you recommend is so delicious. And truth be told I kinda want to meet Cookie.
I am guilty of usually taking the lazy route of mayo/some kind of chopped pickle/celery if I have it/maybe lime juice but my secret ingredient (because I'm a freak for the sour foods) is a lil sprinkle of citric acid in addition to whatever citrus juice I have on hand. Makes the tuna sing without drowning it in too much lime juice. Occasionally I'll go the curried tuna salad route with a couple of teaspoons of either Japanese curry powder or Persian Lime Curry powder.
I'm really intrigued by the Maldivian tuna salad and I even have some dessicated coconut in the cupboard. Maybe I'll even make some roti to go with it!
Tuna, just in time! These look amazing, and since I’m on a tuna salad kick, ever since making one for this year’s Yom Kippur break fast, AND NOT ONE PERSON COMPLAINED ABOUT IT, so I feel I have a winner on my hands, but can’t wait to try these! Thank you, Emily!
So happy to get two new tuna salad recipes, especially one with coconut. I would not have thought of that on my own. Also so happy to get your newsletter which is always a joy to read, there's nothing like a goo laugh early in the morning. Thank you for that.
As a lacto-ovo vegetarian who last ate fish in 1988, I wasn’t giving my full attention to salads I would never eat (or make), but as usual the writing was enticing and the photos were colorful and fun, so I read on…and I’m SO GLAD I did, because a certain sea creature native to the Maldives has been on my mind in recent weeks!
Back in my high school days, the AP English teacher was a brilliant oddball whose assignments were spoken of with reverence. Coming into his class, you knew you’d be writing some fiction of your own, and reading some John Donne, and HEART OF DARKNESS. You would also have to analyze and memorize the following strange poem by Herman Melville, probably best known for his whale. We did read Melville’s BARTLEBY THE SCRIVENER, a novella which I quote to this day (“I prefer not to.”), but the poem really got its teeth into me. Perhaps the Maldivians do a version of their tuna salad with other large game fish, like this one. I don’t think I’ve ever read or heard anything about the Maldives other than this poem until today’s salad recipe…and anyone planning to make the salad might want to hold off on the poem until you’ve eaten and digested The Maldive Tuna.
THE MALDIVE SHARK
About the Shark, phlegmatical one,
Pale sot of the Maldive sea,
The sleek little pilot-fish, azure and slim,
How alert in attendance be.
From his saw-pit of mouth, from his charnel of maw
They have nothing of harm to dread,
But liquidly glide on his ghastly flank
Or before his Gorgonian head;
Or lurk in the port of serrated teeth
In white triple tiers of glittering gates,
And there find a haven when peril’s abroad,
An asylum in jaws of the Fates!
They are friends; and friendly they guide him to prey,
Yet never partake of the treat—
Eyes and brains to the dotard lethargic and dull,
Pale ravener of horrible meat.
—Herman Melville
I would absolutely eat the Maldivian Tuna Salad for breakfast!
Never ever tire of tuna salad or your humor in any form, slang included.
I LOVE a salade niçoise but haven’t made one in ages, so thank you for the reminder! And this isn’t salad content (more “salad adjacent”) but I have a good family friend who often makes me a tuna melt sandwich when I visit her. It’s so simple and straightforward, and also probably not getting on any trend lists, but it brings some damn joy into the world!
Do you recommend a certain brand of oil packed tuna?
I’ve got tuna, limes and fresh coconut. Sounds like lunch.
This looks like a good reason to bust out my stash of frozen shredded coconut.
Loved all the slang! I’m constantly consulting the urban dictionary when ‘in the know’ people say things to me and I don’t understand the words. I appreciate that you spared us the use of “deep dive” into tuna salad, but of course you would spare us that! I laughed out loud at tuna’s public persona. Love the idea of a messy bun Niçoise salad!
You are so lovable, it's insane. Thank you for that.
Fabulous post, as always., Emily. A great way to start the day., with or without tuna.
A wish for the upcoming convo.....I certainly hope we can get our dukes up over the relative merits of oil-packed vs. water-packed tuna. There are a LOT of opinions on this heated topic such that I am uncertain where to plant my tuna flag.
Oh Emily. It would be so delightful to visit you at lunchtime and share your leftovers because everything you recommend is so delicious. And truth be told I kinda want to meet Cookie.
I am guilty of usually taking the lazy route of mayo/some kind of chopped pickle/celery if I have it/maybe lime juice but my secret ingredient (because I'm a freak for the sour foods) is a lil sprinkle of citric acid in addition to whatever citrus juice I have on hand. Makes the tuna sing without drowning it in too much lime juice. Occasionally I'll go the curried tuna salad route with a couple of teaspoons of either Japanese curry powder or Persian Lime Curry powder.
I'm really intrigued by the Maldivian tuna salad and I even have some dessicated coconut in the cupboard. Maybe I'll even make some roti to go with it!
Tuna, just in time! These look amazing, and since I’m on a tuna salad kick, ever since making one for this year’s Yom Kippur break fast, AND NOT ONE PERSON COMPLAINED ABOUT IT, so I feel I have a winner on my hands, but can’t wait to try these! Thank you, Emily!
So happy to get two new tuna salad recipes, especially one with coconut. I would not have thought of that on my own. Also so happy to get your newsletter which is always a joy to read, there's nothing like a goo laugh early in the morning. Thank you for that.