When it comes to retro salads found at potlucks, few can top Watergate Salad. But how did it get its name?
Watergate Salad is a culinary mystery dating back to the 1970s, when it first made an appearance in the pages of a magazine. What do pistachio pudding mix and canned pineapple have to do with one of Washington’s biggest scandals? Read on to find out why this fluffy, sweet, and tart dessert became an enduring classic — and why it’s called Watergate Salad.
Why is it called Watergate Salad?
Watergate Salad is a cool, creamy, and delightful salad associated with the famous Watergate Scandal that occurred in the 1970s.
The salad itself is full of sweet and flavorful ingredients and is sure to please all those who eat it. But, many people wonder exactly why this dish is named after one of the most controversial events in recent history.
To answer that question, we have to go back to the early 1970s, when the Watergate scandal was first exposed in the American media.
During that time, the owners of the Watergate complex, Frances and Bernard L. Berkman, began to market the salad as one of their signature dishes. In doing so, they decided to name it after the scandal in order to capitalize on the publicity surrounding the events.
Ingredients
The salad is made up of several flavorful ingredients, including:
- Pineapple (or mandarin oranges)
- Miniature marshmallows
- Cream cheese
- Pecans
- Whipped topping
These ingredients are mixed together and chilled before serving. Often, people will sprinkle extra chopped pecans on top.
Some variations of the recipe will use mandarin oranges instead of pineapple as the primary fruit ingredient.
History
The exact origin of the dish is unknown, although it certainly was not developed during the Watergate scandal.
It is likely that the dish was around well before then, and it may even have been created in the South; many Southern dishes do incorporate similar ingredients, after all. It is likely that the Berkmans decided to call their signature dish “Watergate Salad” in an attempt to capitalize on the publicity surrounding the scandal.
Conclusion
Overall, Watergate Salad is a delicious, sweet, and creamy dish that is both easy to make and sure to please all those who eat it.
While the exact origins of this dish remain unknown, it likely has its roots in the South, and it is certain that the dish was named after the Watergate Scandal in an attempt to capitalize on the publicity.
Citation URL:https://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Watergate_saladhttps://www. whatscookingamerica. net/History/Salad_History/WatergateSalad. htm