Phonelady - here's a salad my family makes (brings back memories of summer BBQ's) ..
16 ounce bag frozen peas, defrosted
8 ounce can of beets - the ones already cut in little squares. WELL drained
A couple spoonfuls of mayonnaise (not Miracle Whip salad dressing, it's too sweet)
Mix it all together. The mayo kinda turns purple, LOL
I grew up in SoCal and none of my friends had ever heard of this mixture. Fast forward 40 years and I'm talking to a friend who grew up and lives in Canada. She knew exactly what I was talking about. Maybe my Mom and her Mom read the same magazine - that's the only thing I can think of.