Blue Water + Sunny Skies
Tahiti is actually the place you are thinking of when you dream of crystal clear blue water, sandy beaches, and those cool huts on the ocean. Every hotel we stayed in had all the comfortable amenities of home but still left you feeling like you were on a secluded island. It’s honestly the best of both worlds, I knew I had access to my phone and wifi but also had the calm feeling of being disconnected. There were so many fun activities to do, things to see, and food to eat, I could’ve stayed another week, no make that a month!
Shot by Bella Bucchiotti
Tahitian Treats
Let’s get to what we are all here for, the FOOD! During our trip, we were lucky enough to meet Evy Hirschon, a vegan food writer. We were feet from a beautiful blue ocean. I was so relaxed, calm and excited to be starting my first day with such a kind, old soul. She let us into her kitchen to teach us how to make healthy Tahitian dishes like; fresh pineapple with ginger and mint and sautéed taro and yams. I can’t even describe how unreal these dishes were. I’ve never had pineapple taste like this before, it was mind-blowing. The sautéed taro and yams Evy prepared are the inspiration for this recipe so we can all enjoy a little Tahitian dish of our own at home. Shot by Isabelle Cheng
Taro Root
Taro root originally grew in Asia but is now found all over the world. It is a starchy root vegetable that has a similar texture to a potato. So for this recipe think of a cool vegan twist on the popular potato salad that we Canadians love bringing to a family bbq in the summer. It’s super easy to make and is actually 100x better than any potato salad you’ve had. For this plant-based recipe make sure you get the taro nice and crispy! Taro root is a great switch up from potatoes, it also boasts some great nutritional value and lots of fiber:
Fiber: 6.7 grams Manganese: 30% of the daily value (DV) Vitamin B6: 22% of the DV Vitamin E: 19% of the DV Potassium: 18% of the DV Copper: 13% of the DV Vitamin C: 11% of the DV Phosphorus: 10% of the DV Magnesium: 10% of the DV Source Healthline
Tara Root Salad
These vegan tara root bites are versatile and a great snack. For this salad, I recommend eating them while they are still warm to really enjoy all of the flavours. You can mix up your salad base with different leafy greens and seasonal veggies or on a bed of grains. If you have extra left over tara root you can snack on them for the next couple of days. Fry them up in a pan with some coconut oil, they make a great side dish to plant-based burgers or wraps. You could even throw some in a container for an on the go snack for your little ones.
Tahiti: A Vegan Playground
For someone who eats a plant-based diet, sometimes traveling can make the hunt for vegan meals a little more of a challenge. This wasn’t the case in Tahiti! At one of the hotels, we actually got our breakfast delivered via canoe! Imagine a boat full of the freshest, most colorful, beautifully displayed fruit arriving at your door in the morning. I don’t know how I will eat breakfast at my kitchen table again.
Vegan Travel Guide
I love eating my way through every city I visit. A cities culinary landscape can teach you so much about their culture and roots. Tahiti was an unforgettable trip that I feel so lucky to have experienced. If you want to be inspired by some of my other trips be sure to check out these posts:
Vegan Food + How to Explore New York’s Best Accommodations Plant-Based Guide to Vancouver and Whistler
While you’re enjoying this vegan taro root salad make sure to put Tahiti on your bucket list of “places I must visit”! Check out the recipe below and don’t forget to let me know what you think over at @foodbymaria! Tag #foodbymaria and #fearnotfoodisyourfriend so I can see all your beautiful recreations.
Disclaimer: This post was sponsored by Tahiti Tourism
