Despite the name, West Indies salad is a traditional salad originating from Mobile, Alabama. This regional seafood delicacy is usually made with a combination of blue crab meat, diced white onions, cider vinegar, salt, black pepper, and vegetable oil (Wesson oil is preferred).
The origins of this salad date back to 1947, when it was invented by Bill Bayley. He named the salad in an effort to transport diners to the West Indies islands, at least for a little while. Nowadays, the salad is a staple at seafood houses in Alabama, and it's believed that the best West Indies salads should marinate for at least 24 hours before serving.