History Cranberries a Thanksgiving Tradition

[donna]

Thanksgiving be here soon. Thought write on Cranberries and add some recipes. Thanksgiving dinner just not complete to me if you don't have cranberries.

Native Americans ate cranberries and used them for medicines and dyes. It is written that the Pilgrims in 1621 feast had cranberries in some form. Later by 19th century cranberries became staple of the Thanksgiving dinner.

An early recipe for them at Thanksgiving is from "The New England Economical Housekeeper", 1845.

Cranberry Sauce

Wash and stew your cranberries in water, add almost their weight in clean sugar, just before you take them from the fire.

Simple but proof of their use.

 

[Dusty]

My wife makes cranberry relish. Fresh cranberries ground up in a blender with peeled oranges, apples and lemon. Add sugar to taste so it isn't too sour or too sweet. We will have it on Thanksgiving.

 

[Sheltowee]

Always liked cranberry sauce. So one year- I bought a pound of fresh berries. Figured I would enjoy them raw.

Wrong response.

Makes we wonder- if you have to add same weight in sugar to make them good…..what are we accomplishing here?

 

[Reconstructed Rebel]

Makes we wonder- if you have to add same weight in sugar to make them good…..what are we accomplishing here?

The Pilgrims thought of good excuses to eat sugar just as much as we do?

 

[Albert Sailhorst]

For years, I have always made my own Cranberry sauce.
Last week, Aldi had them 99cents a pound, so I bought 2 pounds!

 

[CWdiaryPA]

Based on traditional Indian (India) Cranberry Chutney recipe, by Shanta at Other Avenues Grocery Store, San Francisco

3 cups fresh or frozen (& thawed) cranberries
1 cup H2O
2 cups honey, sugar, or fructose
1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger root
1/2 teaspoon EACH ground cinnamon, cloves, cardamon (if substitute actual cloves instead, just use around 5)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder if hot chutney desired
A touch of red Hawaiian sea salt if adventurous

Chop berries coarsely using food processor, blender, or knife. Don't over-chop. Transfer berries to pot with the water & cook for a few minutes until soft. Add spices, sweetener, & ginger & cook for 10 to 15 minutes longer, stirring frequently. When the chutney looks jam-like, it is done. It further solidifies as it cools. If refrigerated, this chutney keeps for months & makes an elegant holiday gift.

 

[DaveBrt]

My wife and I make the below Cranberry Chutney for our own use and for gifts. Refrigerated (and well hidden) jars last at least 6 months.

4 Cups cranberries
1 Lg. Tart Apple (cut in pieces)
1/2 Cup Sugar
1/2 Cup Honey
1 Cup Water
2 Tsp. Cinnamon
1 Tsp. Ground Ginger
1/2 Tsp. Ground Cloves

Combine all ingredients in medium saucepan. Bring to boil, stirring constantly. Reduce to simmer for 15-20 minutes or until apple is tender and mixture thickens.

 

[donna]

Happy Thanksgiving to all. Had cranberries with the turkey. We made from scratch and not from can. It was good.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

I've never liked cranberries, but they're certainly popular.

 

[JOHN42768]

Besides tasting great they are good for you