Nut Tuna and Basil Appetizers

My Nut Tuna and Basil Appetizers are the perfect start to any springtime plant-based meal.  Also, ideal as an afternoon snack or picnic bite.  Plan ahead, as these are much more digestible when the almonds and sunflower seeds have been soaked.  I also like to let my sunflower seeds sprout which typically takes about 12-24 hours, however, this is not necessary.

What’s the trick to making your nuts taste like tuna?  

I like adding my favorite iodine boosting foods from Maine Coast Sea Vegetables. They carry a line of sustainably harvested seaweeds from the North Atlantic. After harvesting, the seaweed is dried at a low temperatures preserving all of the nutrition.  

According to Maine Coast, “Sea vegetables are rich in minerals and trace elements, including calcium, magnesium, iron, potassium, iodine, manganese, chromium and more, at levels much greater than those found in land vegetables. Sea veggies also provide vitamins, fiber, enzymes, and high quality protein. Marine phytochemicals found only in sea vegetables have been shown to absorb and eliminate radioactive elements and heavy metal contaminants from our bodies. Other recent research demonstrates the inhibition of tumor formation, reduction of cholesterol, and anti-viral properties of sea vegetables.”