I was thinking that I never much cared for tuna but I always loved tuna salad because of all the goodies in it.

I found a recipe using garbanzo beans that I gotta try! I hate sweet relish but I think dill relish (or chopped up pickles) would be awesome. I'd also use mustard instead of mayo.

http://www.ivu.org/recipes/snacks/dolphin.html

Dolphin-Friendly Mock Tuna Salad

* 1 15-oz can garbanzo beans
* 1 stalk celery, finely chopped
* 1 carrot, grated (optional)
* 1 green onion, finely chopped
* 2 tsp. mayonnaise or mustard
* 1 tbsp sweet pickle relish
* 1/4 tsp. salt (optional)

Mash the garbanzo beans with a fork or potato masher.
Leave some chunks.
Add the sliced celery, grated carrot, chopped onion, mayonnaise and relish.
Add salt to taste.

I hate pickles and dislike celery, but I may try this without either. Perhaps add some chopped green pepper to give crunch like celery? Could make a good snack for the Packers game tomorrow. Thanks for sharing!

I'm not a vegetarian, just a foodie who isn't afraid to go days or even (gasp) a week, without eating meat. I can't say that too loudly as I'm living in an area of north central Wisconsin where I've discovered it seems to be sacriligious to be vegetarian, unless by vegetarian you mean someone who still eats fish (catching and eating fish seems to be all locals want to talk about during some parts of the year). Even the health food stores proudly carry and advertise fish and meat.

Anyway, back to the topic of veg*n tuna, sea veggies like nori and other seaweeds can add a bit of that authentic "fishy" taste, if you're missing it. There's also a veg*n fish sauce available (sorry don't know the brands or where you can get it) that I understand is quite authentically "fishy."

I hate fishy tasty things so I don't miss the fish taste although adding nori does sound like a good idea.

Shan, you don't like pickles?! I looooove pickles. Yeah you can just put whatever veggies in it that you like.

I love everything in this recipe except the main ingredient-Beans!!! I am anxious to find out if it tastes like beans when it is done. I know they are good for me and would like to find some recipes where I wouldn't be able to tell.
Judy

It doesn't taste like beans. You don't like garbanzo beans?

I made this for dinner and I have to say I think this is my new favorite dish. It looks like tuna salad and tastes like the best part of tuna salad.

Ok, I love garbanzos in any form, hot or cold, mashes or whole. So I have to know.

Did you use dill relish instead of sweet? I hate sweet relish, too. What kind of mayo/mustard did you use? I think I am going to use water chestnuts instead of celery b/c I hate that, too.

I just used chopped up pickles, which is basically what dill relish is.

I actually used 2 types of mustard, plain yellow mustard and a stoneground mustard.

Capers are also an awesome addition

I can't keep pickles in the house, since they are a binge trigger and the whole salt/kidneys thing. So I'm gonna try it without it. I have a couple different kinds of mustard.

Thank you so much for posting this!!!

I have made this many times. It is a great sandwich spread that keeps well (I use mustard instead of mayonnaise) if I take it for lunch. I usually skip the pickles and the celery and use grated carrots.

Thanks for posting it Nelie!

I broke down & bought dill relish. I made this tonight & WOW. So much flavor!!! I love it!

Adding a little dulse or kelp (or both or any other sea veggie/weed) makes it even more "authentic". I do the same with all the ingredients above but use tempeh (steamed and crumbled) instead of chickpeas sometimes too. So good!

I made it last night as an appetizer. I mixed/crushed them with little chunks of tomato, pickles, and red onion and added mustard and a tsp of olive oil. I baked it for about 10 minutes just to have it warm and it was fantastic!!! We had them with crackers and veggies and DF has been munching on it for lunch, too. Thanks Nelie!

This sounds sooooo good. I am a little tired of Hummus - this will be a great alternative.

Has anyone made this without the relish? I can't stand pickles, relish, etc. Sounds yummy.