Classic 70’s Recipe for Watergate Salad - O Taste and See (2024)

This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and The Coca-Cola Company. All opinions are mine alone. #SongsToShare#CollectiveBias

Today, it’s a Blast from the Past! Iconic sounds, tastes and memories from the 70’s with a “vintage” recipe for Watergate Salad.

I was looking through the Share a co*ke and a Song display bin (at the front of the store) at Brookshire’s,reading all the fun lyrics on the Coca-Cola™ bottles and somany childhood memories came flooding back to my mind. Today, (for some of us) we’re taking a trip down memory lane. For others, maybe learning a little “history” as we talk about icons of the 70’s, including thisrecipe for Watergate Salad.

Even though I was only a child I remember the decade all too well. Second grade, I was SO excited about my school clothes…..Polyester bodysuits and bell bottom, hip hugger pants! I.WAS.STYLIN’!

And what would we do once we had on our super cool clothes?

Sit in our wood-paneled den, on our large floral print (probably in a combination of brown, burnt orange, green and yellow) fabric sofa, watching our console TV or listening to an 8 track tape by the light of our swag lamp.

If you were a kid, like me, you’d probably sit in your bean bag mesmerized by the lava lamp or watch Sesame Street while waiting for your mom to cook dinner in her boldly wallpapered kitchen, using her Harvest Gold or Avocado Green appliances.

Of course, it was WAY before the days of the DVR so we had no choice but to watch commercials. That’s probably why I thought

AND…

I loved that commercial, everyone did! In fact, I stopped, went over to YouTube and watched it again while I was writing this. Coca-Cola reminded us that sharing can bring people together.

Of course, I can’t think about any decade without considering the food. Some of it was even different. Everyone loved a fondue party. Hamburger Helper was Mom’s best friend and every pot luck included several congealed salads or the like. Some might say those were the “Good ol’ days” when “salad” meant flavored gelatin, whipped topping, marshmallows, canned fruit and nuts! The best part, they were more like dessert but labeled “salad” and served as a side, so that meant you got to eat dessert, too! A far cry from the Kale and Quinoa of today!

Watergate Salad is a classic and iconic recipe of the decade, it’s also known by many as “The Green Stuff”. In fact, when I mentioned to my husband I was making it, he instantly said, “I love that! It’s the green stuff, right?”

Why is it called Watergate Salad, anyway? Well, thankfully, it’s NOT 1971 and I “Googled” it.

It originally had another name, but a newspaper (remember those? Also popular in the 70’s) printing the recipe thought it needed a more catchy title. The most memorable thing going on during that time was the Watergate scandal and trial. Seriously, I remember that summer. It was THE only thing on TV all day long… ON ALL THREE STATIONS!

Turns out, that newspaper was right! The name stuck and it’s been taken to church potlucks and family picnics ever since!

Here’s the Recipe:

• 1 can crushed pineapple, undrained (20 oz)
• 1 package pistachio instant pudding (3.4 oz)
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 1/2 cups tub whipped topping

In a large bowl mix pineapple, pudding (dry) marshmallows and nuts

*Note: The first time I made this, years ago, the recipe just said to mix the pudding with the other ingredients. So, I added milk and made up the pudding then added everything….DON’T DO THAT! Just add the pudding mix to the other ingredients…. no milk required.

Carefully fold in whipped topping

Refrigerate 1 hour before serving

Be sure to use your Brookshire’s YourPoints card when shopping for your favorite Share a co*ke and a Song so you can save 10 Cents per gallon on gas for every 100 points earned or 5% off on groceries with every 500 points. You can also download the handy Shazam App to get your Coca-Cola Share a Song.

Which co*ke Share a Song brings back a special memory for you?

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This post is linked up at Family Fun Friday, Pretty Pintastic Link Party, Traffic Jam Weekend, and DIY & Recipe Linky.