It's Hard To Believe These 2 Retro Gelatin Salads Actually Existed

If we're being honest, gelatin is fairly odd! That jiggly, translucent ingredient made from animal collagen is divisive, even when it's just plain old Jell-O. However, gelatin is used in far more dishes than fruity kids' snacks. Back in the day, it was actually considered a fancy ingredient and served as the base for countless salads. 

There were many gelatin-based dishes in the 1950s and 1960s because owning a fridge was a status symbol. You'd be hard-pressed to make gelatin salads without a fridge, so bringing one to a potluck was like announcing your success. Gelatin molds were also mess-free and efficient, which was perfectly in tune with the era. Some of these retro salads were pretty basic, while others were far more unique. Two particularly polarizing options were aspic and orange Dreamsicle salad. Aspic is a savory gelatin used to coat foods such as meat, fish, eggs, poultry, or vegetables. Orange Dreamsicle salad is the complete opposite, representing a gelatin-like interpretation of the beloved popsicle.

Together, these dishes could provide an entire meal, from dinner to dessert. The gelatinous combination sounds excessive and, truthfully, it's hard to imagine our grandparents or great-grandparents making these dishes, let alone enjoying them. But hey, it was a completely different era. So if you want to journey back in time, let's explore the fascinating history of these salads and discover how to recreate them today. 

Aspic salad is where meat and veggies meet gelatin. But unlike most, traditional aspic recipes don't call for packaged gelatin powder. Instead, old-school aspic was made by simmering collagen-rich animal parts to create a dense, gelatin-rich broth. After cooking the meats, veggies, and herbs, the gelatinous mixture was cooled and refrigerated to form a solid, savory salad.

When making aspic, the layers naturally begin to separate upon refrigeration, with the heavier proteins and veggies sinking to the bottom. When serving, chefs often flip the mold to showcase all those savory goodies atop cloudy gelatin. Nowadays, many modern cooks also cut to the chase by using powdered gelatin, which ensures a solid structure and results in a clearer gelatin.

Recipes for aspic salad predate Jell-O by centuries, appearing in "Le Viandier," a recipe collection from the 1300s. However, it didn't become popular in the United States until the 20th century, peaking in the 1960s and 1970s. Despite its unique aesthetic appeal and nutritional benefits, aspic is just one of those foods that used to be popular but we just don't eat anymore. If you're curious about this dish, you'll have to make it yourself or visit Eastern Europe, where it is still mainstream culinary fare.

While still strange, the orange Dreamsicle salad is fairly palatable for an old-school gelatin recipe. The name evokes memories of creamsicles, which consist of vanilla ice cream coated with orange sherbet. The first version of this frozen treat was believed to be invented in the 1930s, so it makes sense that gelatin lovers used this as inspo to create this retro salad. While we don't know the exact timeline, we imagine this creamsicle creation peaked with the rest of the gelatin salads in the mid to late 1900s.

The orange Dreamsicle salad is what we'd call a "fluff" for obvious reasons. Unlike most gelatin, the orange Dreamsicle isn't fully solid, but more of a messy mishmash of orange Jell-O, vanilla pudding, mini marshmallows, canned mandarins, and Cool Whip. If that ingredient lineup doesn't scream 1960s, we don't know what does. And while the individual ingredients sound okay, we're not exactly chasing down this salad. We'll save that energy for the ice cream man with actual creamsicles. 

Orange Dreamsicle salads are still popular in certain circles, particularly in the Midwest or South. In other regions, they're virtually unheard of. But if they pique your curiosity, don't be swayed by the crowds. Try this super sweet treat for yourself, or for an elevated version, make this frozen orange creamsicle Jell-O mold, which uses orange sherbet instead of marshmallows and mandarins.