It all started with Dolly Parton. Who wouldn’t be intrigued by a Strawberry Pretzel Salad with Dolly’s name attached to it? Discovered in a Saveur article from last summer, this crazy recipe was the gateway to a rabbit hole of “salads” of the American South. And hoo boy do they have some wild ideas about salad. For an incredible treatise on the subject let us turn to comedian Landon Brant, the internet’s expert on all things Southern.
He dives into some of his favourite wacky salads. These include standards like Ambrosia and Carrot-Raisin, but also 7-Up Salad, Watergate Salad, Congealed Salad, Oreo Salad and, of course, the aforementioned Strawberry Pretzel Salad. Also Pink Fluff, Orange Fluff and Tomato Aspic.
A little more info is clearly required. Here are descriptions:
7-Up Salad
7-Up Salad is a classic lime Jello salad made with 7-Up soda, cream cheese, Dream Whip, and pineapple. It may sound unusual, but the combination creates a delicious and refreshing flavor. The salad has a creamy texture and a sweet-tangy taste. It is often served chilled and can be topped with a creamy whipped topping or garnished with maraschino cherries.
Fixin’ to make a 7-Up Salad? Granny’s In The Kitchen has you covered with a full ingredient breakdown for this retro recipe.
Watergate Salad
Watergate Salad, also known as “Pistachio Delight” or “Green Fluff,” is a popular dessert salad. It is made with pistachio pudding mix, crushed pineapple, whipped topping, mini marshmallows, and chopped nuts. The pudding mix gives it a vibrant green color and a distinct faux pistachio flavor.
Congealed Salad
Congealed Salad is a gelatin-based salad that can be sweet or savory. It is made by mixing gelatin with various ingredients such as canned fruit cocktail, shredded carrots, chopped celery, and mayonnaise. The mixture is chilled until the gelatin sets, creating a firm and jiggly texture.
Oreo Salad
Oreo Salad is a dessert salad that combines crushed Oreo cookies, whipped topping, and instant vanilla pudding mix. The crushed cookies add a crunchy texture, while the pudding mix and whipped topping create a creamy and sweet base. It is served chilled and garnished with additional crushed Oreos on top.
Orange Fluff:
Orange Fluff is a classic Cool Whip salad made with mandarin oranges and Jell-O. It is a sweet and creamy dessert salad that is perfect for barbecues and potlucks. The salad is made with a combination of orange Jell-O, whipped topping, mandarin oranges, and miniature marshmallows.
Tomato Aspic:
Tomato Aspic is a savory salad that is made with tomato juice, gelatin, and various seasonings. It is a classic Southern dish that is often served as a side dish or appetizer. The salad is typically made by combining tomato juice, unflavored gelatin, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, and salt. The mixture is then chilled until it sets, creating a firm and jiggly texture. Some recipes may also include chopped vegetables such as celery, onion, or green pepper.
You gotta admit, Watergate Salad looks pretty dreamy.
Here in Canada when we talk about salad we’re talking lettuce and tomato, maybe some sliced radishes and cucumbers, but pudding mix?! Salads are way more exciting down south. Clearly it’s time to bust out the gelatin and mini marshmallows and call dessert by its new name – salad!