My Dad's Green Jello Salad/Dessert Recipe (too weird for most, but is one of my favorite foods)

I mean, the name is horrible and the ingredients are disgusting for many! On the Internet, the closest recipe to his is called "Grandma's Lime Green Jello Salad" so our family renamed it "Martian Salad" as it is out-of-this-world, green (like Martians), and alien in appearance!
It is a sweet jello salad but makes a great, fruity/nutty dessert.

My dad made this every Thanksgiving and I would look forward the whole year to having it again... but why wait, it is pretty easy to make! This differs from Grandma's recipe in the use of lemon jello and macadamia nuts.

Ingredients:
1 cup crushed pineapple (a little more to use up the 20 oz can is fine).
Water (to add to the pineapple juice from the can) to make 2 cups.
1 small package Lemon Jello
1 small package Lime Jello
1 cup mayo
1 cup canned evaporated milk (again a little more to use up the 12 oz can is fine)
1 cup small-curd cottage cheese
1/2 cup chopped macadamia nuts (walnuts were the original but mac-nuts are better)

Instructions:
1) In a large multi-cup Pyrex measuring cup (or equivalent) drain out the juice from the can of crushed pineapple then add enough water to make 2 cups liquid. Pour into pot and bring to a boil.
2) Add the lemon and lime jello mix to the boiling water/pineapple juice mixture and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat.
3) In a large bowl, mix together the mayo and evaporated milk. Still or whisk until blended smooth. Stir in jello mixture. Add the pineapple, cottage cheese, and nuts. (My dad would add these after the jello was slightly thickened so they stayed suspended)
4) Pour into an 8x8" glass casserole pan*.
5) Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Overnight is better.
*I leave mine in the big bowl and mix the ingredients after one hour in the fridge so they won't be settled on the bottom.

Thought I would share, as I am making some right now. I can't wait until next Thanksgiving!

 

thanks for sharing!

I managed to get a copy of a "Cranberry Salad" recipe from an older couple that I knew. The old man passed away about 2 years ago and she just passed away this past thanksgiving. I should post it here to keep it from being lost. I will forever remember them with this dessert especially good around thanksgiving.

 

That's kind of the idea... make a recipe last long after the author is gone. I would like to hear if anyone else has had this "Martian salad" or another odd family dish for the holidays. My mother-in-law makes a great cranberry cool whip thing that is awesome... I am not sure if it is Cool Whip she uses?

 

I’ve had something similar that my cousin used to make. She called it fluff, my wife’s aunt also makes a version she just calls stuff.

 

yeah its a marshmallow/cool whip/cranberry delicious dessert, I'll post it after breakfast. Its really good anytime, just has to set in the fridge overnight.

 

Creamy, lemony, nutty goodness! LOL

 

interesting...looks like a pistachio pie without the crust

 

Here's the Cranberry salad recipe: