Celery & Pineapple Party Salad – what do you say? There are two kinds of people in Poland, those who defend pineapple on pizza and those who treat it like a national betrayal:) Somewhere between those two extremes lives this salad. A slightly controversial, very 90s, very Polish party classic: celery, canned pineapple, ham, corn and mayo. I made it for my husband’s birthday a few days ago.
It was my first time making it, and it was also the first bowl to empty, so maybe… we’ve been judging it too quickly:)
If you didn’t grow up in Poland, the preserved celery might be the most confusing ingredient here. It’s not fresh celery stalks. It comes in a jar, already shredded into thin strips — almost like pale, slightly crunchy noodles. It’s usually stored in a light, tangy brine that gives it a subtle sharpness. In Poland, it’s a very normal supermarket item, sitting on the shelf next to pickles and beets. Abroad, though, it can be surprisingly hard to find. The closest substitute would be finely sliced celery root or even very thinly sliced celery stalks with a splash of lemon juice for acidity — but the jarred version has a specific texture and gentle tang that’s hard to fully replicate. For sure you can get it in Polish deli or try Amazon: preserved celery.
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Ingredients
All in roughly equal amounts:
- 1 jar preserved celery (drained well)
- 1 can sweet corn (drained)
- 1 can pineapple in syrup (drained, diced)
- a generous amount of diced cooked ham
- 1 cup cooked, cooled good-quality rice (optional but recommended)
- salt & black pepper
- 2–3 tbsp mayonnaise
- 2–3 tbsp Greek yogurt
- fresh chives and dill for garnish
Here is a short movie on how I make Celery & Pineapple Party Salad:
Instructions
- Drain everything very well.
- Dice the ham and pineapple into similar-sized cubes.
- If using rice, make sure it’s completely cooled.
- Combine everything in a large bowl.
- Add mayonnaise and Greek yogurt (start small, adjust).
- Season with salt and black pepper.
- Garnish with fresh chives and dill.
Let it chill for at least 30–60 minutes before serving.
It tastes better once the flavors settle into each other.
The Rice Debate
In some homes, adding rice is completely normal. In others, it would feel unnecessary. When you add rice, the salad becomes something more substantial. It turns from a side dish into something that can almost stand on its own. The rice absorbs some of the sweetness from the pineapple and balances the saltiness of the ham, making the whole thing softer and more cohesive. It also stretches the salad — which, if you grew up going to Polish family gatherings, you know is never a bad thing.
About the Pineapple…
In Poland, Hawaiian pizza with pineapple can start arguments faster than politics:) This salad might trigger similar reactions. But here’s the thing: sweet + savory has always existed in Polish cooking, like: raisins in meat dishes, pickled plums as a dinner side or apples with duck. Definitely worth trying.
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Comment on the post if you have questions, other ideas on the recipe or just enjoyed reading. I would be happy to see your thoughts on my posts! Have you tried Celery & Pineapple Party Salad before?
