Cooky Cat

Claremont Diner Salad

Claremont Salad Recipe

The once famous Claremont Diner in Verona, New Jersey was known for its eponymous Claremont Salad. (Also its Cheesecake.)

This is a sweet, chunky, crunchy vegetable salad. Think cole slaw on steroids. The keys are the sugar in the dressing and letting the preparation rest a bit to mellow the textures before serving. We found this recipe at Aunt Ruth’s Kitchen  and you can modify the ingredients as you will. Suggestions: Cauliflower, scallions, red and yellow bell peppers, hot chilies. But the original is the gold standard. Try it first. Then go nuts. (We don't recommend nuts in the salad. Silly!)

"Aunt Ruth got this recipe from the Claremont Diner in Verona, New Jersey. They are no longer in business, so we don't think we'll get in trouble for passing along this favorite recipe."

2 tablespoons sugar 

3 tablespoons vinegar 

2 tablespoons of salad oil 

1 tablespoon of water 

1 teaspoon of salt 

Shake the sugar, vinegar, salad oil, water, and salt together in a large jar and pour the mixture over the vegetables.  

1 Cucumber (sliced) 

1 Carrot (sliced) 

1 Green Pepper (sliced) 

1 Bermuda onion (sliced) 

¾ Head of Cabbage (shredded) 

Leave the vegetables and mix at room temperature for two (2) hours. TIP: For a slightly more tender texture, parboil lightly the cabbage, pepper, onion, and carrot. (That's what we do. Think "tender".)

Put it in the refrigerator overnight. Done, enjoy!!