I have so many fond memories of my dearest Grandma Rose. She passed away in early 2020 and when we were finally able to convene (amidst COVID restrictions) for a family memorial service, I spoke, reading a list of all my favorite visual and verbal memories of this incredible lady. – Her homemade salmon patties were a part of that list – thus the reference.
Grandpa Bud did most of the cooking in the house, which always involved a bit of baked beans, some sort of Jell-O salad, Cranberry Marshmallow Cool Whip salad, and other Nebraska farm goodness – don’t forget the sugary cereal TOPPED with a spoonful of sugar and the trips to McDonald’s for pancakes at breakfast (or anytime, really). AND, the endless Nilla Wafers for indulgence. Sshhh, there really were no rules with Grandma and Grandpa (don’t tell a soul).
And, other than food, the best part of the two of them is that they never spent a night apart. In the over 75 years they were together, those two sweet souls spent every waking moment attached and IN LOVE. When Grandma stayed with me while the folks were traveling for business, she and Grandpa spoke on the phone multiple times a day, flirtatiously chatting well into their 40 years together, and Grandpa faithfully made the 60-90 minute drive each night to spend the night in the same bed with his sweetie taking care of her little grand-girl, and then hauled himself back up to work so far away early the next morning.
All of that to say, although she didn’t do much of the cooking, she made a damn good Dagwood sandwich and some pretty awesome salmon patties.
Thank you for being in my life, Grandma Rose, and for inspiring this yummy recipe:
Basic Dill Wild Salmon Patties
Basic Dill Wild Salmon Patties
1 sleeve Saltine crackers, finely crumbled
14 oz. canned Wild Alaskan salmon, drained
1/4 cup mayonnaise
2 large eggs
sea salt and pepper
1 Tbs. fresh dill weed, finely chopped
Combine all ingredients together and mix WELL. All things should be incorporated.
Grease a large skillet with butter or oil.
Form the salmon mixture into four large patties or into eight smaller portions.
Pan fry in the hot skillet until golden brown on one side. Flip.
Serve with Jell-O salad and maybe a Cranberry Marshmallow Cool Whip salad, as well!
Nilla Wafers for dessert!
