Ambrosia (fruit salad)

Ambrosia is an American variety of fruit salad originating in the Southern United States.^[1] Most ambrosia recipes contain canned (often sweetened) or fresh pineapple, canned mandarin orange slices or fresh orange sections, miniature marshmallows,^[2] and coconut.^[3] Other ingredients might include various fruits and nuts: maraschino cherries, bananas, strawberries,^[4] peeled grapes, or crushed pecans. Ambrosia can also include mayonnaise or dairy ingredients: whipped cream (or whipped topping), sour cream, cream cheese, pudding, yogurt, or cottage cheese.

Ambrosia

An ambrosia salad prepared for a potluck, topped with canned mandarin orange slices, maraschino cherries, and a canned pineapple ring
Alternative names	5 cup salad
Place of origin	United States
Region or state	Southern United States
Main ingredients	Pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, and coconut

The mixture of ingredients is refrigerated for a few hours or overnight before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

In New Zealand, ambrosia refers to a similar dish made with whipped cream, yogurt, fresh, canned or frozen berries, and chocolate chips or marshmallows loosely combined into a pudding.^{[citation needed]}

The earliest known mention of the salad is in the 1867 cookbook Dixie Cookery by Maria Massey Barringer.^[1][5] The name references the food of the Greek gods.^[6]

See also

• Jello salad
• List of salads