Cranberries are indigenous to the Americas and are a major commercial crop for many U.S. states. In fact, Massachusetts is actually the second largest producer of this fruit! Cranberries are usually dried or processed into juices and sauces, but a small amount is also available fresh. Many consider the berries to be too tart to eat raw, but they make a great addition to both sweet and savory dishes. (Read more about cranberries on Wikipedia.)
Preparation
If you like ’em, go ahead and eat your cranberries raw! They can be a great addition to salads. Otherwise, fresh cranberries can be added to all sorts of baked goods, like muffins, scones, cookies, and pies. For more savory dishes, try adding cranberries to pilafs and stir fries by sauteeing them in oil.
Storage Tips
Store unwashed cranberries in the refrigerator. Cranberries have a longer shelf life than other berries. You can also wash and freeze them!
Nutrition
Cranberries are an excellent source for fiber, vitamin C, and manganese. They also are one of the most researched fruits due to their high phytonutrient and antioxidant content. Some health benefits associated with cranberry consumption include urinary tract health and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer. (Read more about cranberry research from the Cranberry Institute and get your nutrition facts at Self.com.)
Seasonality
Oct, Nov, Dec,
Recipes
Apple Dressed Lentil, Potatoes & Crunchy Salad
Butternut Squash Apple Cranberry Bake Recipe
Candied Young Ginger and Cranberries
Chewy Fruit and Nut Granola Bars
Chocolate Cranberry Cake with Chocolate Icing
Cranberry Apple Thanksgiving Breakfast Bread
Cranberry Applesauce
Cranberry Chutney with Apple and Crystallized Ginger
Cranberry Orange Challah
Cranberry Orange Spritzer
Cranberry Pecan Stuffing
Cranberry-Plum Green Smoothie
Cranberry Relish
Cranberry Salsa
Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry Sauce Extraordinaire
Cranberry Sauce with a Kick
Dried Cranberries
Frozen Cranberries
Gluten Free Cranberry Apple Crisp
Grilled Portabella Mushrooms Stuffed with Cranberry and Sausage
Meyer Lemon and Cranberry Scones
Orange Cranberry Muffins (Vegan)
Pear and Cranberry Crumble
Persimmon Cranberry Sauce
Pumpkin Cranberry Bread Pudding
Roasted Butternut Squash Salad w/ Cranberries & Pecans
Roasted Squash with Cranberries and Thyme
Savory Cranberry Sauce for Steak
Spicy Cranberry Salsa
Super Simple Cranberry Sauce
Sweet and Savory Kale
Sweet Cranberry-Stuffed Acorn Squash
Upside-Down Cranberry-Caramel Cake
Vegan Stuffing
Vodka Cran(berry sauce) Cocktail