Nana'S Ambrosia

Prep: 15 min Cuisine: American

A sweet and creamy ambrosia salad featuring tropical fruits, marshmallows, coconut, and walnuts, perfect for family gatherings or potlucks, offering a delightful mix of textures and flavors.

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Ingredients

  • 2 cans pineapple chunks
  • 2 cans (11 oz.) mandarin oranges
  • red seedless grapes
  • mini marshmallows
  • coconut
  • walnuts
  • sour cream

Instructions

  1. Drain pineapple chunks and mandarin oranges thoroughly.
  2. Add a generous amount of grapes (red seedless or green).
  3. Mix in half a bag of mini marshmallows.
  4. Stir in sour cream, using half to three-quarters of a 16-ounce container.
  5. Chill before serving.

Tips & Substitutions

For a creamier texture, consider using Greek yogurt as a substitute for sour cream. You can also add shredded coconut for extra texture and flavor. If you're not a fan of walnuts, pecans or almonds work well too. To enhance the fruitiness, try adding some diced apples or strawberries. This dish is versatile; feel free to adjust the sweetness by varying the amount of mini marshmallows.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Nana's Ambrosia chilled as a refreshing side dish or dessert. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats or as part of a potluck spread, alongside dishes like Family Sized Broccoli Casserole. For an extra touch, garnish with additional marshmallows or a sprinkle of coconut before serving to make it visually appealing.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The ambrosia can last up to 3 days, but keep in mind that the fruits may release juices over time, which could make it a bit watery. To refresh the dish before serving, give it a gentle stir to recombine the ingredients.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Nana'S Ambrosia contains roughly 963 calories, with 21g protein, 202g carbohydrates, and 8g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (167% of the Daily Value), vitamin A (127% of the Daily Value), and calcium (71% of the Daily Value), and a good source of potassium. Note that it is relatively high in sodium, at 1348mg per serving (59% of the Daily Value).

963 kcal 48% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 20.7g 41% DV
Total Fat 7.9g 10% DV
Carbs 201.6g 73% DV
Fiber 8.8g 32% DV
Sugar 73.7g 100% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 1348.4mg 59% DV
Potassium 687.6mg 15% DV
Cholesterol 18mg 6% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Vitamin A 1146.2mcg 100% DV
Vitamin C 40.6mg 45% DV
Vitamin D 7.2mcg 36% DV
Calcium 917.7mg 71% DV
Iron 30.1mg 100% DV
Diet fit High-protein High-fiber Low-fat
Contains Milk Tree nuts

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I don't have walnuts?

If you don't have walnuts on hand, feel free to use any nuts you prefer, such as pecans or almonds. You could also omit the nuts entirely for a nut-free version, or replace them with seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds for a crunchy texture without the allergens.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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