Recipe(tried): Sensational Spaghetti Salad

Originally posted on TKL by Chet Beckwith on August 17, 1997 at 2:56:21:SPAGHETTI SALAD - SENSATIONAL

Remember the old puzzle that if you were going to be abandoned
on a deserted island and could have only certain things, what three
would you want? Well, apply that same question to what three
foods you would want. This recipe would surely be one of my
three. It is so good you could cry. It was given to me years ago by
a social friend, Mrs. Roy Dabadie, who was an exceptionally good
cook. She is now deceased, but many of her recipes still live on.
This is one of the best of them.1 LB. VERMICELLI SPAGHETTI LONG, NOT CURLY KIND
12 CUPS BOILING WATER
8 TEASPOONS SALT
JUICE OF 1 LEMON
1 MEDIUM ONION, GRATED (I USE THE CUISINART)
1 JAR PIMIENTOS, LARGE OR SMALL SIZE - TO TASTE
1 LARGE GREEN BELL PEPPER, DICED
10 OZ. CRACKER BARREL SHARP CHEDDAR CHEESE
CUT INTO VERY SMALL CUBES (THIS IS VERY EASY IF YOU
HAVE A BUTTER PAT SLICER, JUST USE IT ON THE
CHEESE AS YOU WOULD A STICK OF BUTTER, ONLY
TURN IT TO SLICE CROSSWISE AND THEN FROM ONE
END TO THE OTHER VERTICALLY.)

2 CUPS FROZEN GREEN PEAS STRAIGHT FROM
FREEZER, NOT DEFROSTED (I LIKE THE "SMALLER" SIZE PEAS.)

2 TO 3 TO 4 OR MORE TEASPOONS DRIED TARRAGON,
(POUNDED IN MORTAR WITH PESTLE.) I USE 3 TO 4
TEASPOONS, BUT I LIKE TARRAGON. YOU WILL
KNOW BETTER HOW MUCH AFTER MAKING IT ONCE.

1 CUP CHOPPED PARSLEY.

CAYENNE PEPPER TO TASTE. DON T BE AFRAID OF
CAYENNE, IT HELPS ANYTHING.

HELLMAN S MAYONNAISE TO MIX (APPROXIMATELY
1 TO 2 CUPS DEPENDING ON HOW MOIST YOU LIKE IT. I
USE ABOUT 2 1/2 CUPS, BECAUSE IT THICKENS UP A
LITTLE WHEN IT IS CHILLED, AND I LIKE A MOIST
SALAD.

Break long spaghetti in half, or into thirds. Put into boiling water to
which you have added 8 teaspoons salt. Cook for two minutes
stirring constantly. Remove from fire, cover and let stand ten
minutes. Stir well, and drain in colander. When cool, place in a
large mixing bowl and add remainder of ingredients. Mix well ( I
use spatula and add mayonnaise, lemon juice, and grated onion
before other ingredients. I find it mixes easier. ) Taste. Add more
mayonnaise and seasonings if needed. You may want to add salt.
Chill. Keeps indefinitely in refrigerator, however, it wont last that
long. Serves 8 to 10. Excellent served with homegrown tomatoes.
This is truly an outstanding recipe, and is very easy.