As most of you know, I am from the north, just outside of Pittsburgh. There are a few things up north that you just cant find around these parts, ham salad is one of them! (See also Snyder of Berlin Chips, Nibble with Gibble, real Italian food, a decent cheese steak, the list goes on.)
I remember when I was younger my mom would take my sister and I in to downtown Greensburg to this little deli store called Anderson’s. We would head straight to the back deli counter and order a pound of the ham salad. Then she would pick up fresh baked rolls and some Sweedish red fish and head to the register. Anderson’s had the BEST damn ham salad you ever did eat!
Each year after we moved and went home to visit, my grandma would go to Anderson’s and pick up ham salad for us to have while we were there. Sometimes we would even fill a cooler with some to take back home with us. Unfortunately, Anderson’s closed a few years ago and those days are no more. No one had ham salad like Anderson’s. Not no one. (Hangover style)
My sister scoured the internet and stumbled upon a recipe for ham salad out of Greensburg, PA. With a little hope and a whole lot of praying she chopped up some ham we had left over from Christmas and tried to recreate the masterpiece.
Folks,she did it!!!! And then she promptly met me half way between our houses to deliver to me the best lunch I have had in a long time.
I present to you Greensburg, PA style Ham Salad!!!!!
What You Need
1/2 pound ham, coarsely chopped (real ham none of that deli full of water crap, you can get precooked at the store)
2-3 tablespoons of mayonnaise
3-4 tablespoons sweet relish
1-2 tablespoons drained diced pimentos
What You Do
Throw all the ingredients into a food processor and pulse until they’re chopped into a rough paste.
Spread that delicious ham salad onto a fresh bun and enjoy!!!! (I prefer Hawaiian Rolls)
I have heard that people also serve this over hard boiled eggs. You do what you want.
18 Comments
Until you mentioned this the other day I’d never ever heard of it–but it sounds so freaking good! I wonder if it would be good on Hawaiian rolls! Yum!
I’ve never heard of ham salad before, but it sounds amazing!! 🙂 xo, Biana – BlovedBoston
I love a good ham salad! I use dill relish though because I DO WHAT I WANT.
I don’t think I’ve ever had this, but it sounds really good! I’m glad you found a recipe you liked for it, it’s always fun to enjoy a food from your childhood! 🙂
yup, def don’t think I’ve had ham salad before!!
No lie I saw that title and immediately thought of that Wiggle song and the “ham sandwich” line …..now I feel sleazy hahahaha. That looks really good though!
I’ve never heard of this as a thing. I really don’t like ham but mayo makes everything better so maybe I’d give it a shot.
Awww, my little Yankee! I have never had the stuff, but love everything in it, so we’ll probably give it a shot. Looks like it’d be a perfect lunch — too bad we can’t get any damn good potato chips down here!
I don’t think I’ve ever had ham salad, but this looks delish! Perfect lunch or snack 🙂
I’ve never had ham salad before but this sounds really good! Going to have to try it out!
OMGGG I’m drooling at that entire list of northern foods. ESP real italian food. Ahh I want ham salad and some decent lasagna NOW!
PS I’ve been MIA in blogworld for awhile so this is probably late but I LOVE the new blog look!!
I haven’t had a ham salad before but it sounds yummy!
Oh, yum!! Mike used to make ham salad all the time, but the pimentos sound like they would be an awesome addition!!
I’ve never had ham salad! I’m definitely going to try this…soon! This would be perfect for my meal prep!
i have never heard of ham salad before! im not gonna lie, it looks kinda odd. haha! i do like ham though. i want the bread more than anything, yum!
I love a good ham salad, that’s for sure! Can’t say I ever had it in Pittsburgh (I was more worried about hitting up Primanti’s when I was there last year). As for cheese steaks… I’m heading to Philly this weekend and plan on having a legit one! 🙂
I confess I’ve never heard of this either. But I love how some foods become so regionalized that they just taste like home! Here in NJ we are all about the Taylor ham/pork roll (other places call it Canadian bacon) and it’s so hard to find anywhere else, but any bagel shop or diner here will serve it up just right. Ask for it pretty much anywhere else and they’ll look at you like you’re crazy though haha
I love ham salad. Love! Havent had it in a bit though .. childhood memories right here.