And Some You May Have Not!

Happy holidays, Oakland Mills! The season for gifts, spending quality time with family and friends, and eating delectable food is upon us once again. Some traditional holiday foods include fruit salads, cranberry sauce, apple pies, or even fruitcake. For some, fruit in savory dishes raises some eyebrows, yet for others, fruit is a must in holiday food. 

Fruitcake

Fruitcake needs no introduction into the category of weird holiday foods. The famous dish has been recorded as a household staple since the 16th century. It is a dense cake that consists of dried or candied fruits mixed with nuts and spices. Perhaps the strangest aspect about the fruitcake is the fact that it is an AGED dessert, as well as the fact that it has a dense and chewy consistency caused by the fruits. People have also stated that the fruits make the cake sickeningly sweet. 

Ham & Pineapples

Ham and pineapple is a popular holiday dish made from roasted, spiral ham with pineapple slices stuck to the sides. It also may include cherries and pineapple juice as a glaze. Ham and pineapples were a staple in holiday dinners from the mid 1950’s to early 1960’s. It is both loved and hated for its contrast of sweetness and saltiness. I’ve never been a ham-enjoyer, but the idea of adding pineapples to it makes my stomach churn. 

“Perfection Salad”

This salad is, by all means, the farthest thing from perfect. The dish was popularized in the Midwest during the 1950’s. It is a jello “salad” made up of shredded cabbage, carrots, celery, onions, and occasionally pineapple suspended in lemon-flavored jello. Oddly enough, sometimes it is served with milk or mayonnaise. Lastly, a similar dish referred to as candle salad is a fruit salad that is plated with lettuce, banana, pineapple rings, and a cherry on top, with mayonnaise, cottage cheese, or whipped cream as a garnish. 
People say “don’t knock it till you try it,” but these dishes are some I would never wish to touch my plate. I may be a fruit-enjoyer, but I sincerely wouldn’t want these foods to be on the table this holiday season.