Broccoli Delight Salad

Broccoli in a salad

Served in a glass bowl, this broccoli salad is not only pretty but delicious as well.  Sunflower seeds, red onion, raisins, and bacon with broccoli and a sweet-sour sauce will make you wish for more. You can add cauliflower and pumpkin seeds if you’d like as well.

Years ago (over thirty) my husband managed a farmer’s market cooperative. That was back in the day when government subsidy for tobacco was on its way out.

Farmers were looking for a labor-intensive crop to supplement their income. Broccoli won the draw. During the years of Southside Virginia Produce Cooperative’s existence, recipe contests were held locally, specifically featuring broccoli and cantaloupe, the two crops grown at that time.

Cooking with broccoli

Because my husband was the manager, I found family-friendly broccoli recipes. I scoured magazines for recipes. This is one of those recipes from thirty-three years ago.

In one of the contests, I entered this dish and took first place.  You’ll understand why when you try a sample.

Adaptations

Over the years, I’ve adapted it somewhat. The original recipe didn’t call for cauliflower, but I add it occasionally.  On the day this photo was taken, I was out of sunflower seeds, so my neighbor brought some pumpkin seeds, and we liked it just the same.

Sometimes I put the salad ingredients together and the dressing in a separate container a day or two ahead. When I’m ready to serve, it only takes a minute to stir the two together.

It’s still a family favorite (for those of us who like onions, anyhow.) I’m certain it will become a favorite for your family as well.

Broccoli Delight Salad

My Windowsill

These ingredients can be gotten ready a day or two ahead. Assemble your ingredients and add your dressing, and it's ready to go.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine American

Servings 6 -8

Ingredients

  

• Broccoli - 1 large bunch fresh broccoli cut in pieces (4-5 cups)
• 1 cup sunflower seeds Or pumpkin seeds
• 1 cup raisins
• 10 strips bacon fried and crumbled
• 1/4 cup diced red onion
• 3-4 Tbsp. sugar
• 1 Tbsp. vinegar
• 1/2 cup creamy salad dressing or lite mayonnaise

Instructions

 

• Cut and wash broccoli and put pieces in a bowl
• Add raisins, onion, bacon and sunflower seeds
• Mix dressing ingredients together until smooth
• Pour dressing over salad
• Stir together

You  know how you have favorite recipes you use for years and then forget about them? That’s what happened with this one. It’s time to resurrect this post from almost five years ago, so here it is.