Southern salads were and will continue to be a mainstay in all forms of cooking and food preparation. Whether as part of a Sunday family dinner or alongside grits and eggs the next morning , salads, especially Southern style, are as much a part of what I remember about my Grandmother from Virginia and my Grandfather from South Carolina as their advice and superstitions.

I'll never forget those Sundays when we'd come from church and find crisp fried chicken, hot corn on the cob and a cold bowl of egg potato salad waiting for us. Of course all this was prepared while we attended Sunday school before the adults went to service. The potato salad was a simple mix of potatoes, eggs, mayonnaise and onion. My Grandfather then added his own seasonings such as relish, mustard, salt, pepper and the key ingredient- celery seed. Not only was this a treat for dinner, but, we always took some home because it was great for lunch the next day since the flavors had more time to marry.

Barbecues were made special when my Grandmother made her tuna-macaroni salad. Nothing tastes better with gooey ribs or even a juicy burger. Her combination of elbow pasta, canned tuna, mayonnaise and onions along with salt, pepper, relish and the ever present celery seed was a pleasant side dish that we all looked forward to. Leftovers were packed into school lunches.

Onion-tomato salad was and is still one of my favorites. It is exactly what it sounds like. Sliced onions and tomatoes was marinated in olive oil, vinegar and Italian seasoning with salt and pepper for a few hours then served alongside a plate of hot red-beans and rice. the tartness of the vinegar went so well with the richness of the beans and the chilled salad made the hot rice that much more flavorful. Onion-tomato salad sure tasted good with grits and eggs for breakfast too.

All these simple, yet, traditional salads were made popular in the south. Since southern families were traditionally large, these salads were an inexpensive way to enhance meals while feeding numerous people. I remember them well as I am sure some of you do.

Now, as a Grandmother myself, I make these salads regularly and while serving them to my family think of what riches these traditional southern salads have brought to us. And I can't forget some of the advice my Grandparents gave me. "Don't take any wooden nickles" ? What does that mean?

Learn more about this author, just another voice.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

---

Add your voice

Know something about Guide to traditional Southern salads?
We want to hear your view. Write now!