With Thanksgiving just around the corner, it’s a great time to look at one of the staples found on most holiday tables: cranberries. If you’ve been passing the dish without taking a helping, it may be time to give it another try. Let’s learn about cranberries !
What do they look like?
This sour fruit comes from the same genus as the blueberry, huckleberry, and ligonberry. They are characteristically bright red in color and typically about the size of a penny. Many families serve up the nostalgic canned version—with actual ridges around the gelatinous mold—for Thanksgiving. While this form of cranberries maintains its red color, it is often higher in calories and sugar because corn syrup is mixed with the blended berries.
What do they taste like?
Cranberries often split crowds into distinct love or hate camps. I must admit that I’ve never cared for them; they are inherently sour and have a bitter aftertaste that doesn’t make them appealing to me. But others love the burst of tartness, and have mastered the balance of adding this punch of taste into rich recipes that could use some brightness—like turkey, stuffing, and mashed potatoes! It might be time for me to reconsider these tart berries, though, because they really are quite mighty!
Why are they good for me?
Cranberries are often best known for their prevention of pesky urinary tract infections. They do so by inhibiting bacterial growth in the lining of the bladder. So for the sake of your urinary tract health, go eat some cranberries! The cranberry’s deep red color and high polyphenol composition makes it a potentially powerful antioxidant in the body as well, fighting cell damage and the inflammatory response. Finally, cranberries are almost like nature’s version of EmergenC—offering a daily dose of vitamin C. Now I can’t promise the vitamin C from cranberries will keep you from getting sick, but they did historically help prevent scurvy.
When and where do I get them?
Cranberries grow April through November in the northern region of the United States. This region is ideal as cranberries are a sensitive fruit, requiring very specific growing conditions—namely acidic, sandy soil, and lots of fresh water. During peak season you are likely to find fresh cranberries at your local supermarket. However, frozen cranberries are often available year-round. Keep in mind: Dried cranberries are common, but this option tends to be high in sugar.
How do I prepare cranberries?
Much like their health benefits, their use in recipes is versatile. There are many ways to play to the cranberry’s natural tartness or bring out some sweetness. So whether you like your cranberries jammed, jellied, or relished, these little red berries may steal the show at your Thanksgiving day meal.
What are some good recipes?
If your mind goes to cranberry sauce and nothing more, check out these other recipe ideas!
- Paleo Cranberry Orange Grain-Free Granola
- Sparkling Cranberry Cinnamon Cocktail
- Turkey Panini with Apples and Cranberries
- Cranberry Orange Relish with Mint
- Savory Cranberry Sauce for Meat
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