Southern Cranberries

Southern Cranberries? I know, I know, I’ve never seen cranberries grown in the South. However, as so many Americans, we Southerners love cranberries with our Thanksgiving dinner as much as the next family. Not only are they such a beautiful red color, they are also delicious and nutritious!

According to Ocean Spray:

They help cleanse and purify the body. But do you know how? They contain powerful nutrients called proanthocyanidins, thankfully referred to as PACs, which research suggests help keep certain bacteria from sticking inside the body.(1,2) And the PACS in cranberries are different from other fruits, which gives them more “anti-stick” potential. They also have something called antioxidants, like flavonoids and vitamin C, which helps to strengthen the immune system. (3,4) In fact, cranberries have more naturally-occurring antioxidants per gram than most other common fruit.

Cranberries!

So, hooray for cranberries! Here are three recipes with cranberries that I hope you will enjoy.

Orange Cranberry Rolls

1 package (8 oz.) refrigerated crescent dinner rolls
1/4 cup sweetened dried cranberries
1/4 cup finely chopped pecans
1 tablespoon packed brown sugar

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line cookie sheet with  Parchment Paper.

Unroll crescent roll dough on parchment paper to form 12×7-inch rectangle; firmly press perforations to seal. Sprinkle dough evenly with cranberries, pecans and brown sugar. Roll up starting at long side; pinch edge to seal. Cut into 16 pieces. Press slightly to form round shape.

Arrange pieces, cut side up, 2 inches apart on parchment-lined cookie sheet.

Bake 13 to 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Glaze

For glaze; Mix powdered sugar, juice and grated orange peel in small bowl until well blended. Drizzle glaze over warm rolls. Serve immediately.

Makes 16 rolls.

Yummy Cranberry Sauce

* 1 cup water
* 1 cup white sugar
* 1 (12 ounce) package fresh cranberries
* 1 orange, peeled and pureed
* 1 apple – peeled, cored and diced
* 1 pear – peeled, cored and diced
* 1 cup chopped dried mixed fruit
* 1 cup chopped pecans
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

1. In a medium saucepan, boil water and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Reduce the heat to simmer, and stir in cranberries, pureed orange, apple, pear, dried fruit, pecans, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Cover, and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries burst. Remove from heat, and let cool to room temperature.

And from Ocean Spray

Cranberry Chutney

1 14-ounce can Ocean Spray® Whole Berry Cranberry Sauce
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup peeled, diced apple
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons vinegar
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon ginger
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
dash ground cloves

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Cook on medium heat, stirring occasionally, until apples are tender and sauce has thickened slightly, about 30 minutes.

Makes about 2 1/2 cups.

Cranberries – so many wonderful ways to enjoy them. More from Ocean Spray about the health benefits of cranberries:

PACS are all-natural components of cranberries that help keep certain bacteria from sticking to the body. Which is a very good thing.  And antioxidants are compounds that reduce free-radical, or oxidative damage. The kind of damage that can lead to chronic diseases like heart disease.  Antioxidants include some vitamins and other natural components of foods, called flavonoids. And, guess what? Cranberries are packed full of all of these! We don’t call it the Wonderberry for nothing.

Today’s Lagniappe:  Cosmopolitan
Some yummy cranberry goodness in a cocktail. Gotta love that!

• 1 (1.5 fluid ounce) jigger vodka
• 1/2 fluid ounce cointreau
• 1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
• 1 1/2 fluid ounces cranberry juice
• 1 twist lime zest, garnish

Pour all the ingredients into a shaker with lots of ice. Shake vigorously for several seconds and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with a lime twist.

It’s a three-for Tuesday! Join these great blogs for more recipes and great ideas.

Balancing Beauty and Bedlam’s Tasty Tuesday

Blessed with Grace’s Tempt My Tummy Tuesday

The Gypsy’s Corner’s Three or More Tuesday

Tagged as: Southern Food, Southern Holiday, Southern Thanksgiving