coconut pesto

Nama Salad (Sea Grapes) Recipe

Nama salad is a fresh sea grapes salad made with tomatoes, onion, herbs, and a light dressing. It is one of the easiest island-style dishes to put together and works well as a cool side dish for seafood, barbecue, or warm-weather meals.

If you enjoy fresh island-style dishes, you may also like kokoda with shrimp or our other nama sea grapes recipe.

Green sea grapes with diced vegetables
Fresh sea grapes (Caulerpa lentillifera) served with a savory seafood coconut mixture, a popular dish in Pacific Island cuisine.

Sea grapes, also known as green caviar or umibudo, are a nutritious, vegan, and gluten-free seaweed snack or side dish, and they are also excellent for salads—especially as a refreshing Nama Salad ingredient.

Ingredients:

2 cups sea grapes (also known as umi budou)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup diced red onion
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped fresh mint
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tbsp honey
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper

Nama Salad Instructions:

In a large bowl, gently combine the sea grapes, cherry tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and mint.

In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, honey, salt, and black pepper until well blended.

Pour the dressing over the sea grape mixture and toss lightly to coat evenly.

Serve immediately for maximum crunch, or refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld. Enjoy this refreshing Nama Salad.

Helpful Tips

  • Handle the sea grapes gently so they keep their natural texture.
  • Add the dressing just before serving for the freshest result.
  • Keep the vegetables cut small so the salad stays balanced in each bite.

FAQ

What are sea grapes?
Sea grapes are a type of edible seaweed known for their bead-like texture and refreshing, ocean-like bite.

Is nama salad vegetarian?
This version is vegetarian, though other sea grape dishes can include seafood or coconut-based mixtures.

When should I dress the salad?
Dress it close to serving time so the sea grapes and vegetables stay fresh and lively.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

NutrientAmount per Serving
Calories57 kcal
Fat3.2 g
Saturated Fat0.7 g
Carbohydrates38.4 g
Protein7.4 g
Sodium1158.3 mg
Cholesterol2.2 mg

Comments

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

More Recipes