Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Nama

Sea Grapes

photograph picture of some Nama otherwise known as Sea Grapes bought at the market in Savusavu, Fiji

I had never heard of Sea Grapes until Fred and I visited Fiji earlier this month. They are a type of seaweed. They are pictured here, for sale, at the Savusavu market on the island of Vanua Levu. Locals might mix them with Kora (a fermented coconut paste), freshly grated coconut, chilli, lemon juice and salt. Alternatively they might be presented in coconut milk with finely diced onions, chillis and lime. These dishes burst with flavour and are crunchy, creamy and piquant all in one mouthful. They really get your tastebuds going. They are quite delicious and I think they would qualify as an eye-opening vegan appetizer. Too bad I can't get hold of the ingredients and experiment with some recipes here in the USA.



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Nama

3:45 PM  

10 Comments:

  • At 27/9/05 09:23, Blogger laminar_flow said…

    I've tried Nama. Have your tried Ota, it's a Fijian dish using a type of fern shrub.
    Used as a compliment to Fish dishes using coconut milk, onions, chillies etc.

    Anyway's here's my blog on Fiji current affairs.

     

  • At 27/9/05 09:23, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I found these in Japan sometimes, and ran into a company at FoodEx Japan, an annual food industry trade show, which was promoting them.

    It seems they don't survive ocean freight very well and even with air freight would probably have a very short shelf life. They didn't think freezing them would work well, alas, although I'm sure someone has tried.

     

  • At 27/9/05 11:41, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    Bula! I am wishing I was back in Fiji now. I particularly loved having fresh tropical fruit every morning for breakfast. Passion fruit is much better when it has just been picked, as are guavas and papayas. The fish always tasted better, too, especially when you could see them bringing in the daily catch before dinner. Did you enjoy the kava?

     

  • At 28/9/05 08:14, Blogger Sam said…

    lamnar_flow - thanks for the Fiji link. I am building a fiji blog so I will link to you there.
    Will take a while!

    Jason - its proba best if we save these treats for our vacations and then and try eating more locally in our every day lives,eh> Makes travelling more special.

    megwoo - they do look amazing - sculptural even.

    Johnathan - i wish too! I like the kava - i have a kilo in the fridge
    ready for my fiji feast party.

    pseudo chef -
    I think you might be mean the Palusami. There is going to be a whole lot more about Fiji and food on this blog over the next few weeks - just in case you need another reminder of heaven!

    sam

     

  • At 30/9/05 19:30, Blogger santos. said…

    could you not find it at an asian market, perhaps? we harvest it here for individual use, but in recent years i've been wary about where i've searched for it, as there's so much more bacterial pollution these days, and in the mainland, you'd have to contend with industrial pollution as well. not to mention red tide. i guess you'll just have to take another holiday in fiji....

     

  • At 1/10/05 10:24, Blogger Sam said…

    another holiday in Fiji is not something I'd say no to right now...

     

  • At 1/10/05 16:43, Blogger kelli ann & lorie said…

    the photo resembles the little gibbly springy things in the "James & the Giant Peach" movie.
    hmm-- wonder if they're tastier than raisins ;-)

     

  • At 23/5/06 10:59, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    WE EAT THIS IN THE PHILIPPINES, FRESH LIKE A SALAD WE MIX IT WITH CHOPPED TOMATOES AND SOME TYPE OF A WATERY FISH PASTE THEN WE EAT IT WITH FRIED TILAPIA OR ANY OTHER FRIED FISH.

     

  • At 13/11/07 08:43, Anonymous Anonymous said…

    I can't believe it took me so long to come across your blog! Ota (a young fern) is delicious but a pain to clean.
    All the Fijian dishes (and some of the places) you feature here on your blog brought back so many nice memories, thank you! We are off to Fiji again in six months... yeah!

     

  • At 13/11/07 08:46, Blogger Sam said…

    ha ha - that's funny - we are off to fiji again in 6 weeks! yeah yeah yeah!

     

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