Pistachio Marshmallow Salad

Fluffy Delight

Pistachio Marshmallow Salad

Sweet Side or Dessert

From my vintage recipe archives… here is a recipe from my Aunt Ann which I have not made in years and I don’t know why as I love this dish. Almost as much as her Banana and Grape Nuts Homemade Ice Cream (drooling)!

Pistachio Marshmallow Salad is sometimes called a Watergate Salad or Green Fluff and is similar to another American classic, Ambrosia Salad. It can be served as a sweet side dish or as dessert or, in a pinch, for breakfast!

Aunt Ann used toasted pecans but walnuts or pistachios would be just as tasty. I layer this salad so it uses three large bowls. But if you prefer, it can be mixed and served in the same bowl. Tastes the same no matter how you mix it!

Also, if you want it to be a greener color, say for St. Patrick’s Day, add a drop or two of green food coloring while mixing it up. Colored mini marshmallows would also be a fun change-up and if you don’t have or like pineapple, use fruit cocktail.

Tom says I have never made this for him, which I find really hard to believe as it is a fast, easy, retro bowl of delight!

Ingredients:

1 box (3.4 oz. size) Jell-O pistachio INSTANT pudding
1 – 20 oz. can crushed pineapple (do not drain)
½ cup toasted pecans
1 bag mini marshmallows
2 – 8 oz. containers Cool Whip, thawed just before using
Maraschino cherries, optional

Directions:

You will need three large bowls, at least 4-quart size each.

In one large bowl, combine the pudding mix with the pineapple and juice, nuts and one cup of marshmallows until well blended. Gently fold in one tub of thawed Cool Whip (gently so the Cool Whip doesn’t go flat on you).

In another large bowl, gently combine the other tub of Cool Whip with two cups of marshmallows.

Spoon half the pudding mixture into the serving bowl. Cover with half the marshmallow mixture gently spreading into an even layer. Repeat with the remaining pudding mixture followed by the marshmallow mixture. Top with the remaining marshmallows.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least an hour before serving. Best served cold and the same day as the Cool Whip may deflate and get runny. To serve, garnish with maraschino cherries.

16 Servings