Mas Huni

Mas huni is one of the signature dishes of the Maldives. The name literally means "fish/coconut" (specifically scraped coconut), since tuna and coconut are the two main ingredients. It can be eaten at any time of day, but is particularly popular at breakfast. Maldivians typically eat mas huni with a flour-based flat bread called roshi, similar to a tortilla or chapati. Eating with their right hand, they use torn pieces of roshi to scoop up the tuna mixture. Of course, no one says you can't eat it with a fork or spoon!

Mas huni (sometimes spelled as one word) is a versatile recipe. You can eat it alone or with roshi, or use it as filling for another dish. If you don't have a lime, a lemon will do in a pinch. Fresh or smoked yellowfin tuna is considered the best, but even Maldivians these days don't hesitate to use canned tuna for convenience. You can add other ingredients--pumpkin mas huni is a popular variation, adding about a cup of mashed pumpkin/squash.

Mas Huni

Ingrediens
2 cans tuna (about 1 cup)
1 cup freshly grated coconut (packaged unsweetened coconut will do if it's fresh)
1 onion, finely diced (about 1/2 cup)
3 small green chiles, chopped
juice of 1 lime
salt to taste

Directions
Crush the onion and chiles together in a bowl with the lime juice and salt. (One recipe says, "Squeeze the onions until juices flow.") Flake the tuna into the bowl, add coconut, and mix well. Adjust seasoning if needed. Enjoy with roshi (flat bread). Makes 4 servings.