Watergate Salad
Watergate salad, is not really a salad, but a fluffy, ambrosia type side dish. Jello pudding, marshmallows, Cool whip, nuts and fruit combine to make this throwback classic. (People back in the day did throw the term “Salad” around loosely didnt they? Throw anything together, call it a salad and voila!
Is it a salad? A Side Dish? Is it a dessert? Dont know.
How did Watergate get its name? Was it from the Hotel? Was it named after a green Watergate Cake? Who knows. However if you are burning with a desire to know the answers to those questions, there is a really great article on NPR about the history of Watergate Salad. You can read it HERE
awwww nuts
SO every single vintage recipe I have looked at for Watergate Salad says “chopped nuts”. There are modern adaptations that people use chopped pistachios, chopped pecans, some use walnuts. I would think that pecans would work very well.
Some people add coconut.
But the recipe below is the original vintage 1970s watergate salad.
the recipe
pistachio pudding mix – 1 box
crushed pineapple in its juice (do not drain) – 1 can
miniature marshmallows – 1 cup
chopped nuts – 1/2 cup
Cool Whip or similar whipped topping- 1/2 tub
Mix all ingredients together. Chill until ready to serve.
