Ben Carter
Candle salad is a vintage fruit salad that was popular in America from the 1920s through to the 1960s. It is composed of lettuce, pineapple, banana, and either mayonnaise, whipped cream, or cottage cheese, assembled to resemble a lit candle. The recipe was published in several cookbooks and newspapers throughout the 1920s and was considered an easy way to get children to eat fruit due to its unusual appearance. It was also included in children's cookbooks, such as the 1950 edition of A Child's First Cook Book and the 1957 edition of Betty Crocker's Cook Book for Boys and Girls.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Lettuce, pineapple, banana, cherry, mayonnaise, cottage cheese, whipped cream |
| Composition | Arranged to resemble a lit candle |
| Preparation | Easy to make |
| Popularity | 1920s to 1960s |
| Occasions | Holidays, children's birthday parties, Valentine's Day |
| Purpose | Encourage children to eat fruit |
| Variations | Alfalfa sprouts and strawberry yoghurt, mandarin oranges, pistachios, raspberries, cheddar cheese |
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What You'll Learn
History
Candle salad is a vintage fruit salad that was popular in America from the 1920s through to the 1960s. It is composed of lettuce, pineapple, banana, cherry, and either mayonnaise, whipped cream, or, according to some recipes, cottage cheese. The ingredients are assembled to resemble a lit candle. The salad is typically served on a plate or decorative napkin, with a few leaves of lettuce forming the base. One or more pineapple rings are stacked on top of the lettuce, providing a niche for inserting a whole or half peeled banana. The banana can be topped with a choice of cream and a cherry, and drizzled with strawberry yoghurt or mayonnaise to resemble dripping wax.
The candle salad was likely invented in the 1920s, when bananas were widely available, pineapples were becoming popular, and canned fruit was a recent innovation. Its “festive” appearance and easy preparation made it a natural fit for holidays like Christmas and Halloween, as well as children’s birthday parties. It was also considered a child-friendly introduction to cooking because of its simple construction and unusual appearance. The recipe for candle salad was published in several cookbooks aimed at children, including the 1950 edition of 'A Child's First Cook Book' by Alma S. Lach, and the 1957 edition of the 'Betty Crocker's Cook Book for Boys and Girls'. It also appeared in a 2008 issue of the Mormon children's magazine 'The Friend'.
The earliest print reference to candle salad is dated 1916, when it appeared on a socialite menu alongside dishes such as "Fruit Cocktail, Chicken a la King, Mashed Potatoes, Buttered Peas, Rolls, Olives, Cheese Straws, Fancy Cakes, and Nuts". However, no description or recipe was included. The dish had several different names, including Candlestick Salad, Candlette, and Night Cap, and there is no clear innovator of the recipe. It is likely that it was promoted by a company, possibly Dole, to encourage early 20th-century housewives to cook with canned pineapples, maraschino cherries, and bananas.
Despite its popularity in the first half of the 20th century, candle salad has since fallen out of fashion. It has been described as infamous and quirky, and some modern commentators have joked about the dish. However, it remains an interesting piece of food history and a fun choice for a retro dinner party.
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Ingredients
Candle salad is a vintage fruit salad that was popular in America from the 1920s through to the 1960s. It is composed of lettuce, pineapple, banana, and cherry, with either mayonnaise, whipped cream, or cottage cheese.
The lettuce forms the base of the salad. One source recommends using the tougher outer leaves from the head of lettuce, as they are more for decoration than eating. Rinse and pat the leaves dry before arranging them on a plate or decorative napkin.
The pineapple is cut into rings, which are placed on top of the lettuce to form a stack. Some recipes call for canned pineapple rings, which provide more stability. Fresh pineapple can also be used, but it is important to cut thick, even rings. One variation of the recipe includes mandarin oranges placed on top of the pineapple stack to resemble flames.
The banana is the central component of the candle salad. It is peeled and placed cut-side down in the middle of the pineapple ring to stand upright, resembling a candle. A half banana can also be used, placed cut-side down in the middle of the pineapple ring. Whipped cream or cream cheese can be added to the cut side of the banana to help it stay upright.
The cherry is placed on top of the banana to resemble the flame of the candle. It is typically fastened to the banana with a toothpick, although this can be omitted for safety reasons. Some recipes suggest using a maraschino cherry, while others simply refer to a red cherry.
In addition to the core ingredients, some recipes include other elements. One variation includes alfalfa sprouts and strawberry yogurt drizzled over the top of the banana to look like dripping candle wax. Another recipe includes mandarin oranges, raspberries, pistachios, and a raspberry vinaigrette dressing.
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Assembly
To assemble a candle salad, start by arranging a few leaves of lettuce on a plate or decorative napkin to form the base. You can use the tougher outer leaves from the head of lettuce, as they are more for decoration than eating. Rinse and pat the leaves dry before using them.
Next, place a pineapple ring in the middle of the lettuce bed. You can use canned or fresh pineapple, but canned rings provide more stability. If using fresh pineapple, cut thick, even rings.
Now, insert a banana into the middle of the pineapple ring. Use a ripe but still firm banana, as overripe bananas will be too soft to stand upright. Cut the banana in half and place it cut-side down in the pineapple ring to stand it upright. If you have trouble keeping the banana from tipping over, add a small amount of whipped cream or cream cheese to the cut side of the banana to help it stay in place.
Finally, garnish the banana with a cherry on top. Secure the cherry with a toothpick to avoid it falling off and to prevent any unwanted injuries. You can also drizzle mayonnaise or flavoured whipped cream on top of and down one side of the banana to represent melted wax.
There are variations of this salad that you can try. One version includes a bed of alfalfa sprouts and strawberry yoghurt drizzled over the banana to resemble dripping candle wax. Another variation involves stacking multiple pineapple rings to create a larger candle base and using mandarin oranges, raspberries, and pistachios to create the flame.
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Variations
The candle salad is a vintage fruit salad that was popular in America from the 1920s through to the 1960s. It is composed of lettuce, pineapple, banana, cherry, and either mayonnaise, whipped cream, or, according to some recipes, cottage cheese. The ingredients are assembled to resemble a lit candle.
One variation of the candle salad includes mandarin oranges, pistachios, and raspberries, in addition to the standard ingredients. The salad is constructed by making stacks of pineapple rings and placing them on a bed of lettuce leaves. The mandarin oranges are then skewered with a toothpick and placed on top of the pineapple stacks to resemble a candle flame. The salad is served with a raspberry vinaigrette.
Another variation, featured in the Mormon children's magazine *The Friend* in 2008, includes a bed of alfalfa sprouts instead of lettuce. Strawberry yoghurt is drizzled over the banana to look like dripping candle wax.
A "fancy" side salad variation includes pineapple rings with a dollop of mayonnaise on them, covered in shredded cheddar cheese.
A candle salad can also be made with fresh pineapple instead of canned, although canned rings provide more stability.
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Cultural impact
Candle salad, a vintage fruit salad composed of lettuce, pineapple, banana, cherry, and either mayonnaise or cottage cheese, was popular in America from the 1920s through to the 1960s. The salad's cultural impact can be attributed to its unusual appearance, simple preparation, and association with holidays and special occasions.
One of the most notable cultural impacts of candle salad was its popularity as a festive dish, particularly during Christmas and Halloween, as well as children's birthday parties. Its "festive" appearance and easy preparation made it a natural fit for these occasions. The salad was often used as a way to get children to eat fruit because of its unusual and playful appearance, resembling a lit candle. It also served as a child-friendly introduction to cooking due to its simple construction. The recipe was featured in several cookbooks and magazines aimed at children, including the 1950 edition of "A Child's First Cook Book" by Alma S. Lach and the 1957 edition of the "Betty Crocker's Cook Book for Boys and Girls".
The unique combination of ingredients in candle salad, such as pineapple, banana, and maraschino cherry, also contributed to its cultural impact. This combination of flavours was likely a novelty for many people during the early-to-mid-20th century when these ingredients were becoming more widely available and popular. The dish may have been promoted by companies like Dole to encourage housewives to cook with their canned pineapples, maraschino cherries, and bananas.
Candle salad has also been referenced in popular culture, with comedian Amy Sedaris preparing the salad on Bravo TV's "Watch What Happens: Live" in 2010, and Ellen DeGeneres joking about the salad on her show in 2014. It has also been featured in various online forums and recipe websites, with some people finding it quirky and enjoyable, while others find the combination of ingredients unappealing.
Overall, the cultural impact of candle salad can be attributed to its unique appearance, simple preparation, association with holidays and special occasions, and the novelty of its ingredients during the time of its popularity. It has left a lasting impression, with modern-day references and recreations appearing in media and popular culture.
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Frequently asked questions
Candle salad is a vintage fruit salad that was popular in America from the 1920s through to the 1960s.
The salad is typically composed of lettuce, pineapple, banana, cherry, and either mayonnaise or, according to some recipes, cottage cheese. Whipped cream may also be used.
The ingredients are assembled to resemble a lit candle. The candle salad is assembled by first arranging a few leaves of lettuce on a plate or decorative napkin to form the salad's base. One or more pineapple rings are stacked on top of the lettuce, providing a niche for inserting one whole (or more often half) peeled banana. For garnish, the banana can be topped with a choice of cream and a cherry.
The candle salad was considered a "festive" dish, making it a natural fit for holidays like Christmas and Halloween, as well as children's birthday parties. It has also been described as a "special occasion fruit salad" and a "classic holiday celebration dish".
