Why Is It Called Salmon Pea Wiggle? Uncovering the Origins of This Retro Recipe

Salmon Pea Wiggle. Just reading the name of this dish makes me giggle. It sounds like something straight out of a 1950s cookbook!

This retro salmon and pea casserole has a delightfully odd name that leaves many people scratching their heads. If you’ve heard of Salmon Pea Wiggle before but never knew what it was or where the name came from, you’re in the right place.

Today I’m going on a deep dive into the origins and history of this classic dish to finally uncover – why is it called Salmon Pea Wiggle? Let’s solve this fishy food mystery!

What Exactly is Salmon Pea Wiggle?

First things first – what in the world is Salmon Pea Wiggle?

It’s a casserole made with salmon, peas, and a creamy white sauce. Some versions also include onions, potatoes, or hard boiled eggs.

The dish is baked or simmered until heated through and the flavors meld together. It’s then served piping hot over toast, crackers, rice, or pasta.

Salmon Pea Wiggle is considered a retro American recipe. It was especially popular in New England and became a staple meal for many families.

The ingredient combo of canned salmon and peas makes this a budget-friendly casserole using pantry staples, It takes just 30 minutes to throw together for a satisfying protein-packed dinner,

Tracing the Origins of the Name

So how did this recipe end up with such a silly, unique name? There are a few different theories about the origins of the name Salmon Pea Wiggle:

Theory 1 The wiggle comes from the motion of the peas in the sauce. As you stir the casserole the peas wiggle and jiggle in the thick creamy base.

Theory 2: It’s named after the sound the dish makes when you stir it. The creamy sauce creates a “wiggly” swishing noise with the salmon and peas.

Theory 3: The name has regional origins. Dishes like Tuna Pea Wiggle and Salmon Pea Wiggle seem to be popular in New England. The name may have started in that area.

Theory 4: It was coined by a creative home cook or family wanting to make their recipe more fun and whimsical. The alliteration of salmon and pea plus a silly word like wiggle does just that!

While the exact origin is uncertain, the bottom line is Salmon Pea Wiggle is a uniquely named dish with a long history in American cooking.

When Was This Dish Invented?

Pinpointing the exact year Salmon Pea Wiggle was invented is difficult, as it’s an old regional recipe passed down through families. However, we can trace back the history of the dish based on its ingredients.

Canned salmon became widely available in the early 1900s. And peas were a popular crop in New England during the summer.

One theory is Salmon Pea Wiggle originated as a seasonal 4th of July dish using ingredients that were abundant at that time of year.

The recipe became especially popular during the Depression era when canned salmon was an affordable protein for families. It remains a budget-friendly meal to this day using humble pantry items.

While the exact decade is uncertain, Salmon Pea Wiggle appears to have been invented sometime in the early 20th century. It’s endured as a retro American classic for generations.

Variations Through the Years

Like any beloved recipe, Salmon Pea Wiggle has gone through some changes over the decades:

• Originally it was made with canned salmon, but now many recipes call for fresh or frozen salmon.

• Canned peas were swapped for frozen peas when freezing technologies spread in the 1940s.

• Potatoes, onions, carrots or hard boiled eggs were sometimes mixed in as filler ingredients.

• Some modern versions bake the casserole in the oven while traditional recipes simmered it on the stovetop.

• While white sauce was originally used, cheese sauce, cream sauce, or condensed soup are common today.

• Dill, garlic, bacon, and other mix-ins have been added for extra flavor.

• It’s now served on pasta or rice rather than strictly on toast or crackers.

No matter how it’s adapted, the core of canned fish, peas, and creamy sauce remains the same in this forever recipe.

Salmon Pea Wiggle Enjoyed Coast to Coast

While Salmon Pea Wiggle is strongly associated with New England, it was enjoyed all across America throughout the 20th century.

Vintage cookbooks and magazines show the recipe appearing everywhere from Minnesota to Texas to Oregon over the decades. It was a beloved meal for families all over the U.S.

The affordable ingredients and simple preparation made Salmon Pea Wiggle an accessible dinner even for those down on their luck. It provided hearty comfort during periods like the Great Depression and wartime rationing.

This wiggly salmon casserole truly brings together American history, culture, and cuisine. It reflects both regional tradition and widespread nostalgia for old fashioned home cooking.

Is Salmon Pea Wiggle Still Made Today?

If you thought this retro recipe was left in the 1950s, think again! Salmon Pea Wiggle is still cooked up by home chefs today, especially in New England.

However, it’s often seen as an outdated dish only a baby boomer could love. The wiggly name and canned fish ingredient don’t sound too appealing to modern palates.

Yet this humble casserole has its fans. Those who grew up enjoying Salmon Pea Wiggle serve it to their own kids and grandkids. It remains a beloved nostalgia trip in many families.

This unfussy one-pot meal is also budget-friendly and easily adaptable to modern tastes. With a few tweaks, Salmon Pea Wiggle can appeal to a new generation discovering vintage cooking.

Giving This Retro Recipe New Life

How can we take Salmon Pea Wiggle from outdated to gourmet? Here are some tips for revamping this retro meal for modern tastes:

• Use fresh, sustainably-sourced salmon fillets instead of canned salmon. This updates the dish with high-quality protein.

• Toss the peas in lemon zest, olive oil, salt and pepper to brighten their flavor before adding to the casserole.

• Jazz up the sauce by using part-milk, part-stock and seasoning it with turmeric, paprika and cayenne.

• Mix in trendy accompaniments like quinoa, brown rice, or ancient grains instead of white toast or crackers.

• Finish with tangy, nutritious toppings like pickled onions, roasted broccoli, or avocado.

• Rename it something fun and contemporary like “Wiggly Salmon Pea Bake”.

With a few elevated tweaks, Salmon Pea Wiggle can delight modern palates while retaining its comforting, retro appeal. This classic deserves to wiggle its way into many more families’ dinner routines!

My History with Salmon Pea Wiggle

I first encountered Salmon Pea Wiggle as a kid visiting my grandma in New Hampshire. She would mix up this wiggly salmon casserole and serve it over buttery crackers. I loved dunking the salty crackers in the creamy sauce and watching the peas roll around.

The name made me giggle every time. I’d wiggle in my seat as I ate every last creamy, fishy bite from my bowl. It was so different from the bland casseroles my own parents cooked.

Later, I was excited to find a Salmon Pea Wiggle recipe in my vintage cookbook collection. My husband frowned at the ingredients, insisting he wouldn’t like it. But I went ahead and made it for dinner, reminding him of my fond childhood memories.

While he won’t admit it, I could tell by his clean plate that the meal was a hit. The tender salmon, sweet peas, and rich sauce came together in a wonderfully comforting way.

After we put our daughter to bed, I surprised my husband by wiggling my hips and singing “Salmon Pea Wiggle!” That dish will be a silly memory we share as a family for years to come.

Give This Retro Recipe a Try!

Next time you see an old Salmon Pea Wiggle recipe, don’t dismiss it as boring or outdated. Give this wiggly casserole a chance – you might just become a fan of its creamy comforts!

With some modern tweaks, Salmon Pea Wiggle can absolutely be revived as a weekly staple. I know my family will be enjoying many more meals of this playfully named dish.

Now get out there and start wiggling up some salmon and peas! Just be sure to share with me your own theories on the origins of this delightfully odd recipe name.