Sushi alternatives
 

Working on an idea...trying to come up with an alternative for Sushi for a few people who don't like a)fish and b)rice. I know - what's the point? I guess I want the experience to still be there. As for the fish, I think I can find decent substitutes (realizing I am not going for flavor here) by using things like Prosciutto and thinkly sliced roast beef or ham, or stick to vegetable styles. Still thinking about the Nori - still from the ocean, so maybe some kind of leaves/cooked spinach? Again, I think I can work around not using a Nori style sushi. But the Rice has me stumped.

I had thought about Couscous, but I dont think it is sticky enough. Also thought about Polenta, but that is too sticky. Any other ideas?

how about just cooking the sushi?

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Or egg salad sandwiches. I don't understand what the OP is trying to do. There are lots of foods that aren't sushi it seems.

I'm not sure that a person who doesn't eat both fish and rice would be thrilled with an ersatz offering. The only time I've ever had Spam was in a sushi presentation.

So you are trying to make sushi without fish or rice.

Why not just go to the Olive Garden and order the Lasagna Rolls?

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I think eggplant rolletini is closer.

I would think that people who don't like sushi because of the fish and/or the rice aren't going to care about their substitute offering being shaped something like sushi because --- wait for it ----

These are the people who don't like sushi!

Give em chicken wings.

I know what you're trying to do, but I'm going to second the opionion of others here. You may be just trying too hard, and maybe these folks would prefer a more standard appetizer fare...

Well, the idea is about theming and atmosphere as anythiong else. This will be a Japanese themed event, the sushi plays a big part of it. I didn't want those people who cant do rice to feel too out of place in the event. I have seen some recipes using cauliflower, might give that a shot but maybe I should spend more time trying to find a presentation style that fits japanese that may not be sushi.

http://www.texwasabis.com/food/menu.html

Scroll down to Gringo Sushi, is that something that might work for you?

Never been there, but that is possibly the most interesting menu I've ever seen. I wouldn't know where to start.

"Growing out of the imagination of Food Network's star Guy Fieri (Diners, Drive-ins, & Dives)
is the whimsical melding of two disciplines, sushi and B-B-Q, and then breaking all of the
rules with a California twist. Tex Wasabi’s Rock N’ Roll Sushi B-B-Q restaurant is a paradox
that works! The food and the zealots who are drawn to the Santa Rosa and Sacramento
California locations can be best typified as—rebellious! A noisy bar is the pivot around which
spins unique cocktails that combine savory with kick-... sassy, and a menu that includes original sushi (Tootsie Roll, Spyderman Roll, Kemosabe Roll, Jackass Roll) and mouth watering slow roasted B-B-Q (BBQ Brisket Platter, Smoked Pork Ribs, Ribs-N-Chicken, New York Steak with Wasabi Butter)."

I may have to make a detour this summer on my drives from Redding to Auburn.

There's lots of Japanese food that's not sushi. Perhaps do a shabu shabu or yakitori, or even soup with udon/soba noodles.

Seriously... and I have met lots of picky eaters... there are those who can't do rice?

If you can't do rice you're just a freak and will feel out of place at any eating event. :p

nerd: i wouldn't go straight off the bat to call them crazy; they may have a medical condition etc. etc. =)

but that aside, chicken wings =)

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Sushi is an important but by no means all encompassing part of Japanese cuisine. I have eaten many Japanese meals at outstanding Japanese restaurants in NY, Tokyo and Kyoto with little or no sushi. I would suggest rather than the fake sushi focus on making some nice tempura or soba/udon dish or robato stye grilled meats. It will be much more likely to come out delicious. It's making me hungry just thinking about it.