Tahitian Poisson Cru (Polynesian Ceviche) {Paleo, Whole 30}

Published on January 31, 2017 by Helen Best-Shaw 58 Comments
Last Updated on June 5, 2020

If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or Polynesian ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables. Paleo and Whole 30 friendly.

The foodie’s version of knowing someone by walking a mile in their shoes surely has to be sitting at their table and sharing their meal? One of the huge pleasures and most important part of travel for me is to (within reason) eat everything I am offered and to get to know the people and their country by sharing their food. All too often we go abroad, and stay in identikit resorts and hotels and eat the same as we would do at home. It really is such a shame, different cultures and countries have so much to offer, but all too often people are too timid to branch out with what they put onto their plates.

On my recent trip to Tahiti I learnt that there is so much more to the islands than azure tropical seas teaming with marine life, white sandy beaches with their pristine resorts and the iconic water bungalows. In the interior of the island are dense lush tropical forests, alive with stories, ancient villages and sacred sites. Think of a cross between Lost and Jurassic Park and you get an idea of the landscape and vegetation.

We took a trip in the Papenoo valley with Iaorana Tahiti Expeditions, owned by Teuai (Olivier) Lenoir, a real life superhero (he lifted a 115kg rock with ease, and literally ran up coconut tree) who has an infectious passion for Tahitian culture and the mana of the islands. Teuai is an accomplished athlete with his love of tuaro maohi or traditional Polynesian sports (including the rock lifting), a dancer, qualified mountain guide, he is also thoroughly personable and a delight to spend time with.

Having travelled by 4×4 into the mountains it was time to prepare lunch, a simple Tathian poisson cru – a Polynesian version of ceviche. The dish is endlessly adaptable, and so easy to make. I dined at some excellent top restaurants on the trip, but it is probably this simple bowl that will remain with me, and be recreated at home to transport me back. I ate bowls of this for breakfast each morning in the various hotels I stayed in, but of course the dish eaten outside was the best.

Firstly light a fire, and feed with coconut husks to help repel the mosquitos.

Take some fresh chopped tuna, which has been soaking in sea water, drain and place into a serving bowl.

Squeeze lime juice over the fish and mix to coat it. Add a handful of diced diced tomatoes.

Add a handful of diced green pepper, and then some peeled and deseeded cucumber.

Add some diced onion, and a grated carrot.

Mix well.

Now to prepare the coconuts.

Take a long sturdy stick and use a machete to whittle a point at each end, drive the stick into the ground and use the sharp point to remove the husk from the coconuts. Carefully crack the coconuts in half with the machete, drink the water, then grate the meat into a bowl.

Place the grated coconut meat into a mesh bag and squeeze the coconut milk out of it over the fish mixture.

Mix and then serve in the coconut shell with some steamed taro. Enjoy and let the mana embrace you.

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If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.

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Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche {Paleo, Whole 30}

If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.

Servings: people

Author: Helen Best-Shaw

Prep Time10

Cook Time1

Total Time11

Ingredients

2 tuna fillets - cut into 1cm cubes ((or use salmon))
1 lime - juice
handful chopped tomatoes
handful green pepper (diced)
handful cucumber ((peeled and deseeded))
handful onion ((diced))
handful carrot ((finely grated))
1 cup coconut milk ((ideally fresh))

Instructions

Place the fish into a bowl, and pour the lime juice over.
Add all the other ingredients, and mix well.

Notes

Use salmon in place of the tuna, and mix up the vegetables. If I was making this again, I'd probably leave out the onion and add a few finely chopped chives.
This recipe is 18 Weight Watchers Smart Points

• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.

• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.

Nutrition Facts

Tahitian poisson cru, or ceviche {Paleo, Whole 30}

Amount Per Serving

Calories 518 Calories from Fat 288

% Daily Value*

Fat 32g49%

Saturated Fat 23g144%

Cholesterol 64mg21%

Sodium 108mg5%

Potassium 1036mg30%

Carbohydrates 15g5%

Fiber 2g8%

Sugar 5g6%

Protein 43g86%

Vitamin A 9505IU190%

Vitamin C 46.6mg56%

Calcium 54mg5%

Iron 5.8mg32%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Main

Cuisine: Fish, Polynesian

Keyword: Ceviche, Tahitian Cru, Tahitian Poisson

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Having eaten it was back to the jeeps for a quick drive.

Where we left the road onto a hidden path, and hiked for 20 minutes, up and down steep slopes, across rushing rivers until we reached this blissful spot.

Tours with Teuai with Ioarana Tahiti Exhibitions are from $59USD per person – not including the lunch. We were the guests of Tahiti Tourism and travelled via Paris with Air Tahiti Nui. Follow the conversation on social #EmbracedbyMana.

If you love sushi this simple-to-make Tahitian poisson cru, or Polynesian ceviche, will become a firm favourite. Quick, easy and adaptable, as well as being packed with vegetables.

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