Southern Ambrosia with Sour Cream
Southern Ambrosia with Sour Cream is a classic American fruit salad, particularly popular in the Southern United States. It typically combines canned pineapple, mandarin oranges, marshmallows, shredded coconut, and maraschino cherries, all folded into a creamy base of sour cream. The dish is a staple at potlucks, holidays, and family gatherings.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This is a high-carb and high-fat dish, primarily from sugars and the sour cream base. It provides a quick energy boost but is low in protein, with a typical serving containing around 350-450 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 390 kcal |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Carbs | 58 g |
| Fat | 18 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 48 g |
| Sodium | 85 mg |
| Vitamin C | 15 mg |
| Calcium | 80 mg |
| Potassium | 280 mg |
| Vitamin A | 120 IU |
| Iron | 0.5 mg |
| Phosphorus | 90 mg |
| Riboflavin (B2) | 0.1 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 0.8 mg |
Per 1 cup (240 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Ambrosia is a fascinating example of a 'salad' that is actually a sweet dessert, reflecting a historical American trend of creating creamy, fruit-based dishes for social events. Its use of canned and preserved ingredients made it a convenient and accessible treat long before fresh fruit was available year-round.
