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The Busy PT's Guide to Finding Balance

Scary Holiday Traditions

Published December 2, 2009 11:56 AM by Janey Goude
I was listening to the radio when the DJs began to talk about frightening holiday dishes - concoctions you wouldn't eat for love or money any other time of the year, but they appear at the holidays as some kind of special treat. Oyster dressing and a green congealed salad topped the list.

I couldn't believe my ears...I had never known anyone else to serve these tastebud abominations! When I was growing up they were staples at our Thanksgiving table every year. Now, some 20 years later, I listened as the DJs, guest, and callers described my worst jello nightmare: green jello, cottage cheese, pineapple, and nuts...brought together in a murky, wobbly glob. Mmmmmm...not! 

The consensus was that these dishes are still around because a few people actually like them. My mother, a caller to the radio station and her mother like the green salad.  My father and my cousin love the oyster dressing. I just learned this Thanksgiving that my father-in-law is also fond of the oyster dressing. As the saying goes, "There is no accounting for taste." Apparently, that was never truer than in holiday dishes!

Now it's your turn...what is your worst holiday food memory?

10 comments

I've never heard of the rice veggie oyster dish, but I have to say - that sounds even scarier than the oyster dressing!  Makes you wonder, why you would even WANT to eat something people feel the need to disguise in so many creative ways? :-)

Janey Goude December 10, 2009 9:30 AM

NOOOO the green bowl of goo.... I can't stand that stuff. It's more of a texture and just the way it looks than the way it tastes. It actually tastes good... it's just wierd! I must admit I have never been graced with the presence of oyster dressing, but my Uncle makes this side dish that is a casserole with rice, other veggies and oysters in it... I was always too afraid to touch it!!!

Jen December 4, 2009 3:02 PM
Cincinnati OH

It's easy to forget we are the only country with "Thanksgiving"!  Just heard from friends who spent their first Thanksgiving in Ireland.  They shared our customary American meal with new "local" friends from Ireland, Poland, and Germany...almost none of which had ever tasted pumpkin pie!  I was shocked!   Their response was a polite, "It's okay."

Janey Goude December 3, 2009 3:38 PM

When my grandmother became too old to actually prepare thanksgiving dinner but still wanted to host it, we went out for dinner. We went to a lovely restaurant that carved a whole turkey for each table with all the fixings. Delightful...until I add that Gran insisted on the first sitting every year at 11:30 in the morning. A heavy meal at 11:30 just isn't fun.

However, being this my first year abroad where there is no "thanksgiving" I would be grateful for just one more 11:30 Thanksgiving breakfast with Gran!

Dean Metz December 3, 2009 1:20 PM

Oh, that was just too funny & brought back plenty of memories.  Dad used to LOVE oyster dressing.  I actually like the dressing part that doesn't have any oysters in it.  And as for the green jello -- well, I have to say that my grandma made it taste awfully good sometimes.

But what a fun blog -- thanks for the smile today!  :>)

Oh -- that stupid nasty green bean/mushroom soup/french onion straw casserole had to be the WORST for me!!!

Marcia December 3, 2009 10:47 AM
Cincinnati OH

Sadly, Dad likes all of them!!  Since my aunt is not around to make the oyster dressing anymore, I make it every year for him.  I actually like it.  (And I had an affinity for the green goo too!!)  

Julie December 3, 2009 10:05 AM

The word mincemeat makes me gag.. google it and you will see why:-)   Most fruitcakes I do not like but my Mom can make one that will knock your socks off. Other than hers... I stay far away from them.  

Teresa December 3, 2009 9:20 AM

I wasn't going to throw him under the bus twice, but since Debbie brought it up, my father-in-law also loves fruitcake.  He says fruitcake is like grits:  If you don't like it, it is only because you haven't had one that is made right!  He looks forward to it every year.

I've heard of mincemeat pie, think one of my grandmothers may have even made one.  But have't heard that term in years and have to plead ignorance.  What is mincemeat?  Do I want to know?!

Janey Goude December 2, 2009 11:56 PM

Mincemeat pie.  Never understood why my mother liked it.

Ann , retired December 2, 2009 8:18 PM

I will admit to actually liking fruitcake...

Debbie Vallin, MT December 2, 2009 7:39 PM
Las Vegas NV

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