The showdown of the season is about to begin.
Two teams face off for the top spot. With winning records going into the season, both teams are ready to put it all on the table for a chance at a win.
Will it be strawberry?
Will it be lime?
What about this new rookie, rainbow cake?
Stay tuned for the results of this matchup of epic proportions. — which Jell-O salad earns the spot on this year’s Thanksgiving table.
Oh, you thought I was talking about football. No, no, no. At my midwestern home we draw strict lines of allegiance to different Jell-O salads. Some of us work hard to ensure strawberry salad gets the win. Others are die-hard lime Jell-o salad fans.
Those who married into the family think they’re all gross and weird. Fine. More for the rest of us, I say.
WHAT’S OLD IS NEW AGAIN
Vintage recipes, including Jell-o salads are experiencing a renaissance. If you’ve followed the popularity of That Midwestern Mom (@ThatMidwesternMom), you know what I mean. While these concoctions are certainly Jell-o, they’re decidedly not salad. Featuring ingredients such as cloyingly sweet maraschino cherries, flaked coconut, pistachios, crushed pineapple — they’re a clean-out-your-pantry Godsend.
I grew up in Iowa where school potlucks and church cookbooks were chock-full of every Jell-o salad imaginable.
And they’re pretty neat to look at. Molded into elaborate geometric forms or striped to perfection, they’re a graphic designers dream dessert. Google “vintage Jell-o salad” for a visual treat of form and color. Just look at all those pastel perfections!
GET READY FOR KICKOFF
We’re a few days out from Thanksgiving — so which salad will grace my mom’s table? Good question — this year I’m bringing the Jell-o salad. Oh, the power.
Do you have a great vintage Jell-o salad recipe? Send it my way. I’d love to read it.
I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
May your Jell-o be extra jiggly.