My Grandma's Fruit Salad

8 servings Prep: 10 m Cook: PT0M Total: 10 m Beginner
My Grandmother, Mabel Primeaux, used to make this simple dish with fruit cocktail, fresh strawberries, banana, and condensed milk. It is delicious. Mix it with vanilla ice cream when you serve yourself - Heavenly!

Ingredients

  • 1 can fruit cocktail
  • 1 banana sliced
  • 1 jar maraschino cherries
  • 1 apple cut in small pieces
  • fresh strawberries
  • 1 can condensed milk

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
  2. Chill for about 1 hour. Serve and enjoy, mixing with vanilla ice cream if desired.

Tips and Techniques

For best results, drain the fruit cocktail before mixing to prevent the salad from becoming too watery. The longer it chills, the better the flavors meld together.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • fruit cocktail: fresh mixed fruit (peaches, pears, grapes)
  • condensed milk: Cool Whip or whipped cream
  • maraschino cherries: fresh cherries or omit

Equipment Needed

  • mixing bowl
  • knife and cutting board for slicing fruit

Historical Context

Fruit salad with sweetened condensed milk is a Southern potluck classic that became popular in the mid-20th century when canned fruits became widely available, making it easy to have fruit dishes year-round.