Like an accessory or an outfit, food can be cooked to fit the occasion. Not everyone has the time or resources to prepare a five-course meal all the time, and this rule definitely applies to sailors. Still, just because you’re out on the open water with limited resources doesn’t mean your taste buds should have to suffer. Below is some of the best food for boating, and their easy-to-prepare recipes.
1#. TURKEY ROLL-UPS
Want to celebrate Thanksgiving all year long?
If so, these turkey roll-ups have it all–with turkey, cream cheese, and cranberry sauce, you can expect every bite to be packed with flavor.
All you need is:
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces of cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup of cranberry sauce
- 8 flour tortillas
- half a head of romaine lettuce torn into 4-inch pieces
- 16 slices of deli turkey
- 16 slices of Swiss or Harvati cheese along with two sliced tomatoes.
Directions:
Once you’ve gathered your ingredients, the entire process will only take about thirty minutes before you can actually sit down and begin eating. For a quick, flavorful meal, turkey roll-ups are definitely the way to go.
2#. CHOPPED SALAD IN JARS
If you’re in the mood for something a bit healthier, the chopped salad in jars is both tasty and extremely convenient while boating. Unlike regular salads that are prepared in bowls, this one has very little chance of tipping over or spilling. The jar not only keeps it safe but also portable–wherever you go, your salad can go too. For anybody who likes their salads to not only be tasty but also presentable, the jar tends to give it a pleasant appearance as well.
Directions:
There’s no exact recipe for making this one, and you can chop up whatever vegetables you have on hand. To save it for later, all you have to do is place the lid on the jar and close it. One little tip to add here is that if you plan on making this simple meal during the summer, chopped veggie salads will hold up better than lettuce-based ones under the hot sun, and a thin vinaigrette dressing will do much better than heavier salad dressings too.
3#. CUBAN SANDWICH
Craving a Cuban sandwich but just don’t have the time to make one? Or maybe you’re looking for more of a snack and less of a meal? Well, this Cuban sandwich works in both cases. The recipe is incredibly simple to remember: all you need are
Ingredients:
- some toothpicks
- dill pickles
- ham
- cheese.
Directions:
Just cut the pickles, ham, and cheese into bite-sized pieces and slide them on the sticks and that’s it–easy as pie. If you know you’re going to have multiple people around, these little Cuban sandwiches serve as a great appetizer as well.
4#. BLT SLIDERS
It doesn’t matter where you are or what you’re doing–BLT sliders are always an essential part of any meal. These tasty treats are both easy to make and universally delicious. Here’s what you need:
Ingredients:
- some good-quality bacon
- a package of Hawaiian rolls
- heirloom tomatoes that are relatively small
- 3 tablespoons of mayo
- chopped up basil and just a squeeze of lemon.
Directions:
Once you’ve assembled your ingredients, it’s as simple as cooking up the bacon and spreading your ingredients onto each roll. For best results, combining the mayo, lemon, and basil into one mixture makes it easier to apply on the sliders. In the summer, when the sun is blazing and the drinks are cold, this bite-sized meal is particularly appetizing.
5#. SAUSAGE EGG BOATS
What about breakfast though? After all, there’s got to be some boat-themed cuisines for the most important meal of the day, right? There is–sausage egg boats are the perfect way to start your day. The requirements for this one are:
Ingredients:
- 4 sourdough baguettes
- 1 (7 ounces) package of Jones All Natural Golden Spicy Pork Links
- 3 green onions sliced thinly
- half a cup of heavy cream or fat-free half-and-half
- 8 eggs
- 8 ounces of grated pepper jack cheese.
Directions:
Once you’ve prepared the sausage and chopped it into smaller pieces, you’ll want to mix the other ingredients in a bowl–starting with the eggs and cream–before adding it all in. In order to gain the boat shape of the bread, you’ll want to cut out the center of each baguette before pouring in the mixture and baking them for 25 minutes. After everything, you can expect about thirty minutes to prepare and cook this meal–which, considering the delicious payoff, isn’t bad at all.
6#. ZUCCHINI PIZZA BOATS
Following the “boat” theme, this next food is not only mouthwatering but also a healthier alternative to pizza. Just keep in mind that this recipe leaves you with about 6 servings, so it’s unlikely you’ll be able to eat it all yourself. First off, here’s what you need:
Ingredients:
- 6 small zucchini
- a minced clove of garlic
- a tablespoon of olive oil
- one cup of marinara sauce
- 6 ounces of shredded mozzarella cheese
- 1/3 of finely shredded Parmesan cheese
- half a cup of mini pepperoni slices
- Two tablespoons of freshly chopped oregano.
Directions:
Like the baguettes, the zucchini will have to be cut in half before you begin adding the marinara and mozzarella cheese. Keep in mind–not all these toppings have to be added to the dish. If you hate pepperoni and prefer sausage, feel free to substitute. Once you’ve added everything into the zucchini though, they have to bake for about 12-18 minutes. Despite the somewhat lengthier ingredient list though, this meal is hardly complicated and only takes about thirty minutes to prepare.
In Conclusion
Sailing, while incredibly fun and challenging, can sometimes come at the expense of good food as a result of limited resources. The truth is, however, your taste buds and stomach do not have to suffer–these six recipes above are perfect to prepare on the water. Some, like the Cuban sandwich or chopped salad in a cup, could probably be prepared in five minutes, while the zucchini pizza and sausage egg boats may require a little more concentration. Either way, you can expect to be pleasantly surprised with how each item on this list ends up turning out.
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Do you know other tasty food to add to this list? If so, you are welcome to share them in the comment below.
Daniella has been passionate about travel, the sea, and nature for many years. As a child, she frequently traveled throughout the Mediterranean and continued with her journeys throughout her adult life.
Her experiences have created the desire within her to share her love for traveling with other passionate and adventurers who want to discover beautiful horizons and new cultures.
