WaterGate Salad

Water-gate salad, Pistachio Delight, Green Goop…  It has many names.  The history, that I’m aware of, was that Pistachio Delight was invented by Kraft Corporation in 1975, the same year that Pistachio Pudding came out on the market.  There are several theories of the clever name change to “Watergate salad” most surrounding the political Scandal, Watergate Scandal.  As consumers requested the recipe for “WaterGate salad”, Kraft then adopted the name.

This gave me a good laugh - As a preteen I would bug my mom about always buying NoName products. Turns out it's "Like Mother, Like Daughter"
This gave me a good laugh – As a preteen I would bug my mom about always buying NoName products. Turns out it’s “Like Mother, Like Daughter”

 

Anyone born in or prior to the 70’s will clearly remember this salad at most potlucks!  It is super simple to prepare (It took me 7 minutes including camera time) and chills thicker in the freezer or refrigerator.

Mix the pudding & coolwhip; then add the other 3 ingredients, and mix again
Mix the pudding & coolwhip; then add the other 3 ingredients, and mix again

 

I apologize, my salad is still chilling in the fridge, so I do not have a final picture of the salad but it becomes the texture of thick pudding essentially.

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Here is Grandma’s recipe card:

watergate_salad_recipe

And here is the printable recipe!

Water-Gate Salad

  • 1 box instant pistachio pudding
  • 19 oz container cool whip

Mix the pudding & coolwhip together and set aside.

  • 1 can crushed or tidbit pineapple (undrained)
  • 1/2 cup miniature marshmallows
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts.
  1. Mix together and Combine with pudding mixture. (I am in the interest of saving bowls – All of it can be mixed once put in the pudding mixture)
  2. Chill in refrigerator overnight or freeze until ready to serve.
Print the Recipe Only