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For all of you purists out there, I get it. That’s why I have waited until the week after Thanksgiving to start talking Christmas!
You know your family is just as weird as mine, and we all have our quirky holiday traditions. Well, I want to share with you one of our more strange food offerings that has become a family favorite over the last forty some-odd years. You guessed it, pass the “Green Stuff.”
Now, when you think “Green Stuff,” you might be thinking of the special concoction that Aunt Bethany contributed to the Christmas dinner in “The National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation.” Well, in fact, you aren’t far off! However, I promise that my family’s version does not include cat food! We thought it too offered a strange texture and too much crunch!
In all seriousness, this simple salad can be served as a dessert and, better yet, it’s the perfect “day after Christmas” breakfast.
We start with the humble pistachio pudding. Yep, you heard me, that’s where the green bit comes in. Originally introduced in 1975 when Jell-O first released their pistachio pudding flavor, this recipe was one of the ubiquitous back of the box concoctions to help boost sales. I have heard this recipe called a variety of names including “Watergate Salad,” “Pistachio Marshmallow Salad,” “Green Stuff,” you name it.
Simply put, this cool and refreshing salad consists of the pistachio pudding, crushed pineapple, chopped pecans, cool whip, and marshmallows. THAT’S IT! Mixed up the night before it’s an easy 10-minute recipe that’s sure to become a classic. Perhaps, it’s even better served in some crazy 1970’s style-serving dish (just to keep it weird).
I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and introduce the “Green Stuff” to your family this Christmas. We have had a bunch of fun making jokes about how scary it sounds, but at the end of the day we eat it like bowls of ice cream! So, give it a shot, whip some up, and let me know what you think. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from my weird family to yours!
Happy Cooking,
The Tennessee Rebel
“THE GREEN STUFF” (PISTACHIO MARSHMALLOW SALAD)
1 – 3.4 oz box Jello Instant Pistachio pudding; 2 – 8oz cans crushed pineapple (undrained); ¾ bag of mini marshmallows; ½ – ¾ cup of chopped pecans; 1 – 8oz carton whipped topping softened.
- Mix pudding, pineapple, and nuts.
- Fold in whipped topping and marshmallows.
- Chill for several hours or overnight and serve.
