Nightshade Free Cucumber Boats with Tuna Salad
Cool, crisp, and loaded with bright flavor, these cucumber boats make for a satisfying meal that feels a little fancy without any real fuss. Tuna salad is a classic, but the usual store-bought versions and even many homemade recipes sneak in ingredients that don't work for people avoiding nightshades — think paprika-spiked seasonings or mayo made with additives that aren't always obvious on the label. Here, coconut-based mayo keeps things clean and creamy, while apple cider vinegar and fresh lemon juice bring just enough tang to make the whole filling pop. Ground turmeric and ginger add warmth and depth without reaching for any pepper-family spices, so the flavor is genuinely interesting rather than just "safe." Finely diced celery gives every bite a satisfying crunch, and the fresh parsley and chives keep things light and herbaceous. Hollowing out the cucumbers takes only a minute and turns a simple salad into something you'd actually want to serve to guests. It's the kind of recipe that proves eating around a restriction doesn't have to mean eating around flavor.
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Learn more →Ingredients
4 servings
For the boats
- 2 large english cucumbers
For the tuna salad
- 2 cans (5 oz each) tuna packed in water, drained
- 3 tbsp coconut-based mayo
- 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 stalks celery, finely diced
- 3 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp fresh chives, thinly sliced
- 1 tsp fresh lemon juice
- ¼ tsp ground turmeric
- ¼ tsp ground ginger
- ½ tsp fine sea salt, plus more to taste
For serving
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, roughly chopped (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Trim the ends from each cucumber and cut them in half lengthwise. Use a small spoon or melon baller to scoop out the seeds and a shallow channel of flesh, leaving a sturdy 1/4-inch wall all around to form a stable boat. Pat the insides dry with a paper towel.
- 2
In a mixing bowl, combine the drained tuna, coconut-based mayo, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, turmeric, and ginger. Break up any large chunks of tuna with a fork and stir until the mixture is evenly coated and holds together.
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