The 1970s were, without a doubt, a strange time in the world. From obsession with space travel to crazy scandals, plenty of odd things occupied the world’s collective brain in this decade. The food in the 1970s was rather odd as well, as these three wacky food trends that seemed perfectly normal back in the day demonstrate.
Watergate Salads
This bizarre sweet dish, whose name will undoubtedly evoke the 1970s for other reasons, contains pistachio pudding, canned pineapple, whipped cream, crushed pecans, and marshmallows. Chilled and served in a glass bowl, this was made popular at potlucks and social gatherings.
Savory Jell-O
The mid-20th century had an obsession with gelatin, and this was especially evident in the 1970s with the rampant popularity of savory recipes which included Jell-O. From gelatin-encased spaghetti to vegetables, no one is quite sure to this day why these dishes were so popular.
Hamburger Helper
The 1970s saw a lot of advancement towards “quick” and “easy” recipes, and Hamburger Helper was a brand that gained lots of popularity and notoriety. These boxes, which included seasonings to convert ground meat into different flavored dishes, were hugely popular in suburban households.
