Ambrosia Fruit Salad
By Nadjah
If you are in a part of the world bearing fresh fruit this time of year, it is fabulous, whether you frequent the markets as many of us do, or raise your own, it truly is a delicious treat. Ooh-la-la the sweetness of it all.
I think fruit salads can almost always top the list. The natural juices of the grapefruits and oranges are so wonderful.
I like to peel and deseed the citrus and cut them into pieces being careful to reserve all the sweet juices. I just cut the fruit right over my bowl them add the cherries and berries, toss, cover and place in the fridge to chill at least a couple of hours before the festive meal.
With this type of salad, I also like to add a handful of nuts, your preference of course.
You have certainly heard of the Ambrosia salad, perhaps from your Grandmother or Aunts.
Well, did you know that Ambrosia means delicious and fragrant to some? Also, Greek mythology has it’s story of Ambrosia. Fun to look that up!
Anyway you slice it there have been many versions of this fruit salad over the years, mainly from the South.
Normally coconut is always used in the fresh fruit salad, it is just part of it, so to speak, just as some folks like to add fresh lime juice, marshmallows, whipped cream or yogurt.
Many modern Ambrosia salads contain honey along with lime juice and dried cranberries. So you can see there are many wonderful versions of this particular fruit salad.
Often times we wait to prepare these delicious salads for only special occasions, why is that? We can enjoy the oh so good nutritious fruit more often than not, so enjoy!
You will be surprised how much your family and friends will enjoy your salad creation, especially using all fresh fruits.
I believe that just maybe many households have their own special recipes for this luscious salad. I normally use all the fruit that I have on hand, and it never fails.
AMBROSIA FRUIT SALAD
3 medium sized pink grapefruit
4 navel oranges
1 pineapple, cleaned and chopped into bit size pieces
1/2 jar of red marachino cherries about 5 ounces
1 pint black berries
1/2 pint sliced strawberries
6 tablespoons sweetened coconut
1 handful of chopped walnuts
Place all your peeled, deseeded cut up fruit chunks in one of your favorite bowls. Be sure to have all the juices from the sections of fruit into the bowl, this is the true sweet nectar of the fruit. The fruit will speak for itself and the juices mix to make it naturally sweet.
Lightly toss all the fruits, nuts, and coconut.
Cover and chill at least 3 hours.
There you have a wonderful sweet Ambrosia fruit salad.
If one must have the extra topping of whipped cream or yogurt, place a healthy tablespoon full on each serving.
This particular salad is welcome all the year round, and very complimentary to just about all your favorite meals.
And as a little bonus, if you would like to be extra sweet you can also serve a plate of fresh dates.