35 Comments

I was *just* traipsing through my old accordion file of recipe cards and clippings this weekend and came across the "Spice Jello Salad" my mom used to make, I could instantly picture and taste it. Not even unflavored gelatin, it calls simply for 2 packages of "red jello". No cranberry, there is instead applesauce, crushed pineapple and walnuts, with spices--still reminiscent of the season. Haven't made a jello (or gelatin) concoction in ages!

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Nov 22, 2022Liked by Anne Byrn

I didn’t like kale before it was cool (upper midwest upbringing by parents who grew up on farms so we had a garden, northern European ancestry so grew things like kale) so I pass on all things kale. But as a midwesterner, I like jello salads, & this is a good one.

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Dec 11, 2022Liked by Anne Byrn

I made a note when you published this to circle back to make the kale/Brussels salad, knowing I’d need a healthy “palate cleanser” during the short-but-somehow-never-ending-holiday-decadence. Made it for lunch today and my health-nut husband loved it, and I have to say, I felt righteous eating it! LOL. I did add a teaspoon of smoked shoyu to the dressing. I’ll keep it in my back pocket for another day, perhaps in January, ha! Thank you for sharing.

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I grew-up with a cranberry jello mold - very festively decorated - at my grandma’s Thanksgiving table. Although I haven’t had this recipe or anything similar in at least 20 years, I’m craving it for its nostalgia, more than anything.

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Jell-O and Kale! We are always seeking balance, right?

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Nov 23, 2022Liked by Anne Byrn

I'd eat both.

My family's cranberry relish is very similar to the strawberry and cranberry jell-o salad. Ours has chopped apples and walnuts, no oranges nor pineapple. You can also substitute any red jell-o per the recipe instructions. For a time, jell-o made a cranberry flavor and I used it. I haven't made it in years because the kids wouldn't eat it.

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I love kale and I always make Jell-O on Valentine’s Day in a heart shaped mold ❤️ Great idea to pair them up on the Thanksgiving (or any other!) table. Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for the shout-out, Anne! 🍁

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I have memories of multiple jello salads (red and green) on our celebration day tables. They were pretty but I just have never been a fan.

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Nov 22, 2022Liked by Anne Byrn

Also...I can't wait to see your scones recipe. I have a half-bag of cranberries that will need a new home after the feast. I love cranberries and always buy extra bags for the freezer and always on the look-out for ways to use them beyond Thanksgiving.

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Nov 22, 2022Liked by Anne Byrn

What a great column! "Friendsgivings" are the best. While living in Cleveland several decades ago I was part of a very close-knit group of friends who celebrated Thanksgiving together for more than a decade, even after several of us had moved to different parts of the country. We would reunite every Thanksgiving in Cleveland. One of our friends was a chef who was into farm to table before it was cool and was always introducing us to produce we weren't familiar with. She started making a shredded celery root and apple salad with a mustardy mayo dressing and toasted hazelnuts inspired by one she'd had in Paris for our feast and it became a favorite among all of us. I recently tracked it down and while it didn't fit into this menu I am planning to resurrect it for Christmas. Many great memories associated with that!

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