Shish Kebab Salad is a charming vintage American fruit salad that reflects the entertaining style popular from the 1950s through the 1970s. Inspired by the presentation of shish kebabs, the fruit is threaded onto skewers, marinated in French dressing, and served over crisp romaine lettuce for a refreshing combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors. The addition of rye crackers and ham spread transforms the salad into a light luncheon or brunch meal. This recipe showcases the era's love of attractive party foods that were easy to prepare yet visually impressive. Its colorful fruit, crisp vegetables, and simple preparation make it an appealing choice for warm-weather gatherings, ladies' luncheons, picnics, or retro-themed meals.
Ingredients
- 4 ripe pears (peeled and cut into chunks)
- 4 ripe peaches (peeled and cut into chunks)
- 4 apples (peeled and cut into chunks)
- 4 green pepper rings
- ½ cup French dressing
- 1 head romaine lettuce (washed and separated into leaves)
- 16 Rye crackers (for serving)
- 1 cup prepared ham spread
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Fruit
- Peel the pears, peaches, and apples.
- Cut the fruit into large bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Assemble the Skewers
- Alternate the fruit pieces with green pepper rings on skewers.
Step 3: Marinate
- Place the assembled skewers in a shallow dish.
- Pour the French dressing over the skewers.
- Cover and refrigerate for about 15 minutes.
Step 4: Arrange the Salad
- Place romaine lettuce leaves on serving plates.
- Arrange the marinated fruit skewers on top of the lettuce.
Step 5: Serve
- Serve immediately with rye crackers and ham spread alongside.
Tips
- Chill the fruit before assembling for an extra refreshing salad.
- Add seedless grapes for additional sweetness.
- Use crisp lettuce such as butter lettuce instead of romaine.
- Substitute whole-grain crackers for rye crackers.
- Replace ham spread with chicken salad or smoked turkey spread.
- Add cubes of cheddar cheese for extra richness.
- Sprinkle toasted pecans or walnuts over the salad.
- Use Italian dressing instead of French dressing for a tangier flavor.
- Assemble just before serving to keep the fruit fresh.
Nutrition
Calories: 420kcalCarbohydrates: 51gProtein: 11gFat: 21gSaturated Fat: 4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gMonounsaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 30mgSodium: 760mgPotassium: 610mgFiber: 8gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 4600IUVitamin C: 48mgCalcium: 85mgIron: 2.4mg