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Pistachio Salad

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If you didn’t know, tomorrow is National Pistachio Day. So I thought I’d post my recipe today for Pistachio Salad, just in case you want to make this tomorrow and celebrate National Pistachio Day.

You should have most of these ingredients in your house, if not there’s still time to go to the store. But really, this is one of my family’s favorite salads. It really could classify as a dessert. This salad has been around for ages and has also been called Watergate Salad. I wondered where the whole Watergate name came from. This is what Wikipedia said,

No one is really sure of where the name came from. Kraft Corporate Affairs said, “We developed the recipe for Pistachio Pineapple Delight. It was in 1975, the same year that pistachio pudding mix came out.” Kraft, however, didn’t refer to it as Watergate Salad until consumers started requesting the recipe for it under the name. ”

According to Kraft Kitchens, when the recipe for Pistachio Pineapple Delight was sent out, an unnamed Chicago food editor renamed it Watergate Salad to promote interest in the recipe when she printed it in her column.” Neither the article nor editor has been tracked down, however. This dish is also referred to as “Hawaiian Surprise” for company picnics in the Midwest.

So there you go. If you haven’t ever had this salad, I’m surprised! You must make it! Here is my version.
Pistachio Salad | realmomkitchen.com
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Pistachio Salad


Ingredients

Units Scale
  • 1 (20 oz.) can of crushed pineapple, drained
  • 1 (16 oz.) container cottage cheese
  • 1 (8 oz.) container cool whip
  • 1 ( 3.4 oz.) package pistachio pudding mix
  • 1 1/2 cups miniature marshmallows
  • 1/4 cup chopped pistachios, optional

Instructions

  1. In a bowl, add cool whip and dry pistachio pudding mix. Mix until well blended.
  2. Then add pineapple and cottage cheese; mix well. If you like really soft marshmallows add them at this point, if you like more firm marshmallows, mix in just before serving (I like mine soft).
  3. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Mix in additional chopped pistachios before serving if desired.
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Pistachio Salad | realmomkitchen.com

This is the original photo from this post. The above photo was updated in December 2014.

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26 comments

Rachel Page June 12, 2015 - 3:14 am

Adding the cottage cheese will give you some protein to balance the sugar value of this recipe without destroying the yumminess!

Reply
Rachel Page June 12, 2015 - 3:14 am

Adding the cottage cheese will give you some protein to balance the sugar value of this recipe without destroying the yumminess!

Reply
Maryanne December 23, 2013 - 11:14 am

Thank you so much, will be enjoying for the holidays, Mom used to make and was loved by all

Reply
Maryanne December 23, 2013 - 11:14 am

Thank you so much, will be enjoying for the holidays, Mom used to make and was loved by all

Reply
St. Patrick’s Day Round Up | Real Mom Kitchen March 6, 2013 - 6:34 am

[…] Patty’s Day Brownies, Pistachio Salad, Cool Mint Oreo Brownie Cupcakes, Reuben Sandwich, and Chocolate Mint […]

Reply
St. Patrick’s Day Round Up | Real Mom Kitchen March 6, 2013 - 6:34 am

[…] Patty’s Day Brownies, Pistachio Salad, Cool Mint Oreo Brownie Cupcakes, Reuben Sandwich, and Chocolate Mint […]

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Cranberry Salad | November 22, 2011 - 6:03 am

[…] Pretzel Salad from Ezra Pound Cake Pistachio Salad from Real Mom Kitchen Creamy 5-Cup Fruit Salad from Mel’s Kitchen […]

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Locket Necklace December 22, 2010 - 1:19 pm

i eat every kind of salad, but my favorite is of course fruit salad and chicken salad –*

Reply
Locket Necklace December 22, 2010 - 1:19 pm

i eat every kind of salad, but my favorite is of course fruit salad and chicken salad –*

Reply
Ella Walker September 14, 2010 - 9:51 am

i like potato salad and also mixed fruit salads. they are tasty and so yummy:*;

Reply
Ella Walker September 14, 2010 - 9:51 am

i like potato salad and also mixed fruit salads. they are tasty and so yummy:*;

Reply
Ruby Jones June 10, 2010 - 12:10 pm

My favorite kind of Salad is none other Potato Salad. it really taste yummy.:.’

Reply
Ruby Jones June 10, 2010 - 12:10 pm

My favorite kind of Salad is none other Potato Salad. it really taste yummy.:.’

Reply
Sadie February 26, 2009 - 9:44 am

My mom used to make this all the time and I had completely forgotten about it. Thanks for posting! Now I have to make this for my hubby!
http://www.sadieskitchen.blogspot.com

Reply
Sadie February 26, 2009 - 9:44 am

My mom used to make this all the time and I had completely forgotten about it. Thanks for posting! Now I have to make this for my hubby!
http://www.sadieskitchen.blogspot.com

Reply
Queen B. February 26, 2009 - 6:53 am

looks great !

Reply
Queen B. February 26, 2009 - 6:53 am

looks great !

Reply
My New 30 February 25, 2009 - 8:04 pm

Oh I love this stuff. My Mama used to make it for almost every event that she catered because everybody wanted it. Her’s always had chopped pecans in it too. I never knew it as anything but Watergate Salad!

Reply
My New 30 February 25, 2009 - 8:04 pm

Oh I love this stuff. My Mama used to make it for almost every event that she catered because everybody wanted it. Her’s always had chopped pecans in it too. I never knew it as anything but Watergate Salad!

Reply
Lynda February 25, 2009 - 7:30 pm

I’ve always wondered where it got the name Watergate! I’ve always loved this salad; it was always a staple at our holiday table when I was growing up.We always added chopped pecans, but of course my kids wouldn’t eat it that way!

Reply
Lynda February 25, 2009 - 7:30 pm

I’ve always wondered where it got the name Watergate! I’ve always loved this salad; it was always a staple at our holiday table when I was growing up.We always added chopped pecans, but of course my kids wouldn’t eat it that way!

Reply
Angie February 25, 2009 - 12:01 pm

That didn’t post the whole thing… here’s the rest of it 🙂
bison-burgers-pistachio-salad.html

Reply
Angie February 25, 2009 - 12:01 pm

That didn’t post the whole thing… here’s the rest of it 🙂
bison-burgers-pistachio-salad.html

Reply
Angie February 25, 2009 - 12:00 pm

I love pistachio salad too! Here’s the link to my recipe

https://theamericanhomemaker.blogspot.com/2008/09/bison-burgers-pistachio-salad.html

Reply
Angie February 25, 2009 - 12:00 pm

I love pistachio salad too! Here’s the link to my recipe

https://theamericanhomemaker.blogspot.com/2008/09/bison-burgers-pistachio-salad.html

Reply