Monday, December 24, 2012

Sweet Southern Ambrosia

An old Southern tradition in our family is to make ambrosia for Christmas. My maternal grandmother, who was from Virginia, always made this, as did my mom. I must admit that I've not always honored the tradition every Christmas, but this year, I just had to make some.

My grandmother's recipe was simply oranges, sugar and freshly grated coconut. That's it! 
Just segment the oranges and sprinkle on sugar...the amount depends on the sweetness of the oranges...but for a bag of oranges, I put maybe a quarter cup...just to give a sweet, fresh taste...or to your taste.
Sprinkle on the coconut...about 3/4 cup or so. I use the kind in a bag, but fresh or frozen is better. There's no way that I'm buying a whole hairy coconut to grate by hand...lazy me.
My mom always added a few maraschino cherries, which add a little more sweetness and a lot of color...which I like.
Refrigerate for a few hours, and serve in a pretty glass bowl, or in individual stemware.


Now, I know all of y'all will get oranges in the toe of your stockings, so you won't have to go out to buy any for this recipe.
Hope you enjoy this old family favorite. 
                                   
                                  Merry Christmas y'all!
                                             Babs

8 comments:

Richard Cottrell said...

Always a favorite. Fruit like oranges were so dear many years ago, so that is why they cherished this. Things we have every day now. Merry Christmas. Richard and Sissy

Sarah said...

Just the way I like it!
Merry, Merry this Christmas Eve. ~ Sarah

On Crooked Creek said...

Babs,
Lovely, light dessert for Christmas!I'dlove to have this for Christmas morning breakfast!!!
NOT sure about that orange in the toe of my Christmas Stocking! This is our first year to have Stockings..."Mr. Ed" gave me the funniest look when I stuffed THREE of them yesterday! Ha! Perhaps he'll have caught on by next Christmas!!!
Fondly,
Pat

Elizabeth said...

Now thats a fruit salad my Grandchildren might like and very pretty!

Ivy and Elephants said...

I love this lovely southern favorite, too. Such a simple elegant dish. Reminds me of special times growing up.
Wishing you a happy and blessed new year.
Hugs,
Patti

Carlene @ Organized Clutter said...

I have had ambrosia but never at Christmas. My ancestors probably didn't have access to fresh fruit at Christmas up north.

Mary said...

Babs~ My maternal grandmother was from Virginia too and lived in Richmond and we were always treated to ambrosia! Somehow along the way we have forgotten that tradition~ thank you for the reminder! Wishing you a Merry Christmas week and Happy New Year :)

Donna said...

I love this dessert. My mother always made it too!
Hope you had a wonderful Christmas, and wishing you the very best in the new year!