Chloe Adams
Candle Salad, also known as the Banana Candle Salad, is a vintage recipe that was popular in America from the 1920s through to the 1960s. The salad is composed of lettuce, pineapple, banana, cherry, and either mayonnaise, whipped cream, or, according to some recipes, cottage cheese. The earliest print reference to Candle Salad is dated 1916, but it gained popularity in the 1920s, when pineapples and bananas were widely available. The recipe was likely promoted by a company to encourage housewives to cook with canned pineapples, maraschino cherries, and bananas. By the 1950s, it had reached a cult-like status, and the recipe appeared in several cookbooks for children.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Candle Salad |
| Earliest Reference | 1916 |
| Ingredients | Lettuce, pineapple, banana, cherry, mayonnaise, whipped cream, cottage cheese |
| Assembly | Banana inserted vertically in a pineapple ring, drizzled with mayonnaise and topped with a cherry |
| Popularity | 1920s to 1960s |
| Cookbook Appearances | A Child's First Cook Book (1950), Betty Crocker's Cook Book for Boys and Girls (1957), Tested Recipes Institute of New York (1958) |
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What You'll Learn
Candle Salad's popularity
Candle Salad is a vintage fruit salad that was popular in America from the 1920s through to the 1960s. The salad typically consists 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 recipe first appeared in print in 1916, on a socialite menu, but without a description or recipe. It is believed to have been invented in the 1920s, when bananas were widely available and pineapples were becoming popular. By the 1950s, it had reached a cult-like status, with plates of bananas on pineapple rings and topped with maraschino cherries becoming a Christmas-time staple. It was also considered a child-friendly introduction to cooking because of its simple construction and unusual, "festive" appearance. It was included in several cookbooks aimed at children, including the 1957 edition of Betty Crocker's Cook Book for Boys and Girls, with the tagline: "It's better than a real candle because you can eat it."
Candle Salad experienced a brief resurgence in popularity in 2010 when comedian Amy Sedaris appeared on Bravo TV's Watch What Happens: Live to prepare the dish. Ellen DeGeneres also joked about the salad in 2014, leading to a short-lived trend on social media.
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Ingredients and preparation
The vintage banana candle recipe, also known as the candle salad, is a simple yet creative dish that gained popularity in the 1920s and remained a favourite through to the 1960s. Here is a step-by-step guide to preparing this unique salad:
Ingredients:
- Lettuce leaves (iceberg or any variety)
- Pineapple rings (canned or fresh)
- Firm, ripe banana
- Maraschino cherry with stem
- Optional: whipped cream, cream cheese, or mayonnaise
Preparation:
- Start by arranging a few lettuce leaves on a plate or decorative napkin to create a bed for your candle salad. You can use any type of lettuce, but iceberg lettuce is the most authentic choice.
- Place one or more pineapple rings in the centre of the lettuce bed. This will serve as the base for your "candle."
- Cut a firm, ripe banana in half and insert it into the pineapple ring(s). The banana should be yellow with no brown spots for the best presentation.
- Top the banana with a maraschino cherry, using the stem to resemble a candle flame. The cherry adds a festive red colour and a sweet finish to the dish.
- Optional: To secure the banana in place and enhance the "candle" effect, drizzle whipped cream, cream cheese, or mayonnaise down the side of the banana to resemble dripping candle wax. You can also add a decorative squirt of mayonnaise on top.
There you have it! A vintage banana candle salad that is sure to be a conversation starter at your next holiday gathering or retro-themed meal. Enjoy!
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Variations of the recipe
The vintage banana candle recipe, also known as the candle salad, has been a source of fascination and amusement for many. This unique dish, popular in the 1920s, involved a banana thrust vertically into a stack of pineapple rings, with a cherry on top, creating a "candle" on a bed of lettuce leaves. While the combination of ingredients may seem unusual, it was likely a creative way to promote the use of these fruits in the early 20th century. Over the years, various variations of the recipe have emerged, each putting a unique twist on this classic.
One variation that gained popularity in the early 1920s included dribbling mayonnaise or flavoured whipped cream on top and down one side of the banana to represent melted wax. This addition not only enhanced the visual appeal but also added a creamy texture and flavour to the dish. Another variation, mentioned in a 2008 issue of a Mormon children's magazine, suggested using alfalfa sprouts instead of lettuce and drizzling strawberry yoghurt over the banana to create the dripping candle wax effect. This version offered a tangy twist to the traditional recipe.
For those who prefer a richer flavour and creamier texture, cream cheese can be used in place of whipped cream or mayonnaise. It not only helps secure the banana in place but also adds a decadent touch to the dish. Some adventurous souls have even experimented with cottage cheese as a substitute for cream or mayonnaise, creating a tangier and more savoury version of the banana candle salad.
To make the dish even more festive and indulgent, chocolate sauce can be drizzled over the banana and pineapple. This variation is especially well-suited for dessert and is sure to satisfy those with a sweet tooth. For a lighter and more refreshing take on the recipe, lemon juice can be brushed onto the cut surfaces of the banana to prevent browning. This simple addition not only enhances the presentation but also adds a subtle tangy flavour to the fruit.
While the original recipe calls for a whole banana, some variations suggest using half a banana, which can be easier to assemble and serve. Additionally, different types of lettuce can be used based on personal preference and availability. Iceberg lettuce is considered the most authentic, but any variety can be used to create the decorative bed for the "candle".
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The recipe's origin
The vintage banana candle recipe, also known as the Candle Salad, is believed to have originated in the early 20th century, with some sources tracing it back to the 1920s. During this time, canned pineapples, maraschino cherries, and bananas became increasingly popular, and the recipe is thought to have been promoted by companies to encourage housewives to cook with these ingredients. One source mentions that the recipe was first printed in 1916 in a socialite menu, although without a description or recipe.
The salad typically consists of a banana inserted vertically into a stack of pineapple rings on a bed of lettuce leaves, with a maraschino cherry on top, resembling a lit candle. Some recipes also include mayonnaise, whipped cream, or cottage cheese, which can be drizzled over the banana to represent melted wax.
The Candle Salad gained popularity in the 1920s and became a holiday staple, with recipes appearing in cookbooks and magazines. It was also featured in children's cookbooks in the 1950s, with the tagline, "It's better than a real candle because you can eat it." The recipe even reached cult-like status by the 1950s and was later revived in the 2000s, with modern-day attempts to create and sample it.
While the exact innovator of the dish has been lost to history, it is believed that corporate interests played a significant role in its popularity. One notable company, the Hawaiian Pineapple Company (later known as the Dole Food Company), is credited with promoting canned pineapple products and recipe contests in the 1920s, which likely contributed to the widespread use of pineapples in the recipe.
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Its resurgence
It is unclear when the banana candle recipe was first invented, but it likely rose to popularity in the 1920s and remained popular through to the 1960s. The recipe is said to have been promoted by the Hawaiian Pineapple Company, later known as the Dole Food Company, to encourage housewives to cook with canned pineapples, which had been recently introduced to the market.
The recipe for the banana candle, also known as the "Candle Salad", was published in several cookbooks in the 1950s, 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 recipe also appeared in a Mormon children's magazine, "The Friend", in 2008.
The banana candle has experienced a recent resurgence in popularity, with modern-day attempts to create and sample the dish appearing on YouTube and other social media platforms. The recipe has also been featured in vintage-themed Christmas dinners and holiday meals, bringing smiles to tables for over a century.
The unusual combination of ingredients and the playful presentation of the dish make it a conversation starter and a fun addition to any meal. The resurgence of the banana candle recipe can be attributed to its novelty, nostalgia, and the opportunity it provides for creative food presentation and experimentation.
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Frequently asked questions
A vintage banana candle is a retro recipe that involves assembling a banana, pineapple, and cherry to resemble a lit candle. Mayonnaise or whipped cream is often dribbled on top of and down one side of the banana to represent melted wax.
The vintage banana candle recipe, also known as Candle Salad, was first introduced in the 1920s.
The recipe for a vintage banana candle typically includes lettuce, pineapple, banana, cherry, and either mayonnaise or whipped cream. The ingredients are assembled to resemble a lit candle.
To prevent a banana candle from browning, assemble it just before serving or brush the cut surfaces of the banana with lemon juice.
The vintage banana candle recipe was likely promoted by a company, such as Dole, to encourage early 20th-century housewives to cook with canned pineapples, maraschino cherries, and bananas. It gained popularity in the 1920s and reached a cult-like status in the 1950s.
