Cranberry Fruit Conserve | Ina Garten

Cranberry is a must-have on the Thanksgiving table. After making a parsnip and cranberry cake, I have close to a bag of leftover cranberry. The idea of combining cranberry and apple making a cranberry fruit conserve speaks to me. In addition, dressing up the cranberry conserve in a mason jar tied with a ribbon as a holiday gift sets the mood for the season.

I have a few jars of French citron (dehydrated lemon zest) and dry orange peel that I dehydrate from fine blood oranges. They taste and smell just as good, if not more intense, as fresh lemon and orange zest. So I put them in good use here.

One thing I learn from working with the cranberries in different recipes is how versatile they are. Their bitter and sourness can be easily contained by a short bath in syrup, the way these sugared cranberries are made to decorate the top of the cake. Besides sweet application, adding balsamic vinegar, shallot and wine to make a pan sauce for duck breasts (or pork chops) is equally compelling.

Above all, cranberries are high in antioxidants, and have the highest level of phenols among common fruits.

Time to pick up bags of fresh cranberries and start playing. Native Americans first used them for food, fabric dye, and medicine. Their shade of red is so intense and just right for this time of year. I love turning them in mason jars of cranberry converse and compote.

Print Recipe

Cranberry Fruit Conserve

Serves: 4 cups

Ingredients

• One 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries, cleaned
• 1 3/4 cups sugar
• 1 Granny Smith apple, peeled, cored, and chopped
• 1 orange, zest grated and juiced
• 1 lemon, zest grated and juiced
• 3/4 cup raisins (optional)
• 3/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Instructions

1

Cook the cranberries, sugar, and 1 cup of water in a saucepan over low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the skins pop open. Add the apple, zests, and juices and cook for 15 more minutes. Remove from the heat and add the raisins and nuts. Let cool, and serve chilled.

Notes

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/cranberry-fruit-conserve-recipe-1941951