Holiday Redux: J-E-L-L-EWWWW

Congratulations, we all survived Thanksgiving.

More surprising are the strange traditions that continue to survive year after year. I recounted some of my family’s non-food traditions over at my blog, but I (of course) saved the best for ES. Admitting this tradition is strange and embarrassing. But here it goes.

My family never let go of the Jello mold fad.

Jello molds haven’t been popular for decades; some adults I know have never even tried one (or seen one). I didn’t realize quite how obscure they are until I mentioned it to some friends last week and I almost had one of them vomiting. The worst part of this strange tradition is that my family has not one Jello mold recipe…but let’s say…several.

Different molds surface every year, most of them savory, to be eaten with dinner, not after. The most valued is the green jello with cucumber and onions, and there was a lot of yelling and screaming when I accidentally placed it on a side table and nobody could find it (I can’t believe I just owned up to the misplacement of the beloved Jello). I’m sorry everyone.

If you’re still reading, what strange foods have an eternal place at your family’s table?

Pic: Blurry lime-cucumber-onion jello, courtesy of a drunk ML