Cranberry Apple Relish
Here at Chiot’s Run we LOVE cranberry relish when it comes to Thanksgiving Day meals. I make a big batch each year and we take some to all of our holiday gatherings. It’s a quick and easy side dish and it really adds a great flavor to your turkey meal. I made a big batch last night to take to Ohio for our Thanksgiving celebrations.
My cranberries are purchased from a small farm, the apples are from our heritage apple CSA.
CRANBERRY APPLE RELISH
1 (12-16 oz) bag of fresh or frozen cranberries
2 apples, peeled and cut into small pieces
1 cup sugar or maple syrup
1 cup of cider (you can use water if you don’t have cider)
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
1 teaspoon grated cinnamon
Combine all ingredients in sauce pan and cook covered for about 30 minutes (make sure you keep it covered as cranberries have a tendency to pop). Uncover, taste and adjust sugar and seasonings to your family’s liking. Cook until desired consistency; if you like it thick cook longer, if you like it thinner you can turn off now or add water if it’s already too thick. Chill and serve.
I made a double batch because you really can’t have too much cranberry relish, at least that’s what I think. If I have leftovers it will grace the top of a meatloaf later in December.
Do you take a big scoop of cranberry relish at the table, or do you pass it on to the next person?
If it’s real I do. If it’s from the can, nope. Not that such a thing as canned cranberry sauce would ever appear on a table at the MiL’s family gatherings. Sometimes they get a little crazy on the variations of cranberry sauce, though–various spices and add-ins–and that’s also not to my liking. Actually, I’m happy with just the cranberries and sugar. Maybe a little orange flavor.
to kristin @ going country's comment
I loooove cranberry sauce. Have you ever tried fermenting it? I am very excited to try this recipe for fermented cranberry sauce this year: http://ohlardy.com/fermented-cranberry-sauce/
to Gretchen NC's comment
I haven’t but I really want to, I’m sure I’d love it!
to Susy's comment
Susy, I don’t think that I’ve ever had fresh made cranberry sauce. The cranberry sauce that’s on the Thanksgiving at our house was always the jellied kind out of the can. I’d probably try a scoop full if there was fresh made available. I’m looking forward to a great Thanksgiving this year. I just may end up at three Thanksgiving celebrations this year. One the Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, another on Thanksgiving day, and still another on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. I always get several invitations to celebrate Thanksgiving so there’s no sitting around at home alone for this bachelor. It’s the gift I get back for cultivating so many great relationships during the year.
Have a great Ohio Thanksgiving day and family/friends visit.
to Nebraska Dave's comment
Sounds good, sounds easy, I’m making some.
Thanks! And a festive Thanksgiving to you.
to Jennifer Krieger's comment
I love homemade cranberry relish! My mother makes it every holiday, a big batch. Hardly anyone actually eats it but me, and I take home all the leftovers. I love a big spoonful in my morning oatmeal.
to DebbieB's comment
Susy, I know you can and store lots of stuff in the freezer. What do you use to store things like this? Do you can it like you do preserves or use aluminum or plastic ware to store. I really want to start making a lot more meals ahead fo time, but I am having trouble find good containters that are good for frozen storage. Any ideas or recommendations? BTW, I rarely comment on your site, but I always love ready it.
to Lea Blottin's comment
I use wide mouth pint mason jars for lots of things in the freezer. You can also use wide mouth quarts, just be sure to allow a lot of head room for expansion. I also have a nice collection of glass Pyrex storage containers that I’ve been gifted for holidays. These are my favorites: Pyrex 1073142 Rectangular Clear-Glass Food-Storage Containers with Blue Plastic Lids, Set of 3
to Susy's comment
I love cranberry orange relish but have never tried cranberry apple. I will definitely be making this soon!
to Eliza J's comment