"Lime Jello Marshmallow Cottage Cheese Surprise" is a novelty song by William Bolcom, frequently sung by his mezzo-soprano wife, Joan Morris. It is based on his experiences, in his youth, of playing the piano for women's clubs, and being fed absurd and unappetizing cuisine, including foods resembling Jello salad.
The singer takes on the persona of a leader of such a club, describing the featured dishes to be served "next week" at the club's "culture night", and most prominently, the title dish, a concoction that also includes "slices of pimento (you won't believe your eyes)", pineapple, mayonnaise, and vanilla wafers. Other dishes mentioned include "scones that are filled with peanut mousse" and "strawberry ice enshrined in rice with bits of tunafish".