Italian Tuna Salad – Grandma’s Easy Recipe

Italian Tuna Salad – Easy Peasy

Italian Tuna Salad was one of my grandmother’s contributions for family barbecues and summer get togethers. Served with the Italian Sausage and Peppers it was a family favorite.

My grandmother was one of eight children. Eventually they all grew up and moved away, some moved to New Jersey, others to Long Island. My grandmother and a couple of siblings stayed in the Bronx.  From time-to-time, my grandmother’s sisters and brother would make a ‘trip’ from Long Island to the Bronx.  Of course, my grandmother would prepare some food to serve her beloved sisters, brothers, and in-laws for their visit.  Italian Tuna Salad was always on the menu.

For some, it was a long 2-hour ride from ‘the island.’  This annual visit was always during the summer.  My mother and i would always be invited to the annual get togethers. Grandma would prepare the cold Italian Tuna Salad as one of the dishes for her annual reunion lunch.  This tuna salad is not your typical tuna salad—no onion and no mayonnaise!  We used either Bumblebee or Starkist Solid White Tuna. Grandma would toss in a medley of ingredients into a large bowl, toss it with oil and vinegar and set it aside.  One thing about this salad is that it is served wilted!

Mushy, but delicious!

Yes.  Mushy!  That is the beauty of this dish.  Iceberg lettuce wilts once mixed with salad dressing.  In the seventies, iceberg, romaine, or Boston lettuces were your only options for salad greens.  Nowadays, you have a large variety.  I prefer a mix of field greens, which are very tender and delicious. Serve your salad with nice Italian bread. If you are a fan of tuna, this recipe will not disappoint. Trust me.