powered by SignMyGuestbook.com

Recent News... Just for Pope Gregory... Finding the nativity An accelerated rate To tell the secrets of my prison-house House and a shelf

2003-11-23 - 6:42 p.m. Conserve the Cranberries As we approach Thanksgiving, I�d like to say a few words about that abused fruit, the cranberry. Sure, it�s become popularly accepted in various designer drinks, and the juice is perfect for summer spritzers, but the poor berry itself has been too long consigned to a jello-like fate. Most of us are familiar with the cranberry only in its gelatinous form, poured ceremoniously from the aluminum can onto a crystal dish and carried to the Thanksgiving table. There is sits, amid the sweet potatoes and gravy, a perfect photo-negative mold of the can that spewed it forth. It is passed quickly from person to person. In the end, a few slices are eaten, though none of the guests are ever sure by whom. I contend fruit should not be eaten in jello form. This weekend we spent at my Mom�s, playing with our three-year old nephew. Roland learned a few new things about cattle, my Mom (as is her habit cooked enough food for twenty people, and Peanut came by to show off his new tractor. (The dualie�s in the shop for a new fuel pump.) Although we had smoked turkey left over from Friday night, Mom roasted another turkey for Saturday night, which meant full Thanksgiving dinner with all the trimmings. As food circled the table in proper counter-clockwise order, Uncle Andy was all set to bypass on the cranberry conserve until Mom coaxed him to take some. Go on, Andy. I really don�t like cranberries. But these are Theo�s cranberries. Well, says Andy looking at me reluctantly, You did teach me to like brussels sprouts the last time you were here. A small bite later, Andy asks for the dish again so he can smother his turkey. I grin. Actually, this is Darby�s (Roland�s sister) famous Cranberry Conserve. So, this week, I beg you to stop the cranberry waste. To help in this fight, (and cause Alisandra wanted a copy) I offer � Darby�s Cranberry Conserve 3 cup fresh cranberries (Ocean Spray makes bags of them. Try the produce area.) 1/2 cup boiling apple juice (no sugar) 3 oz golden raisins (~1/2 cup) 1 small orange, sliced, seeded, and chopped* Scant 2 and 1/4 cup granulated sugar 6 oz chopped walnuts or hazelnuts (toasted) Wash cranberries and put them in a large pot. Add scant 2/3 cup water and bring to a boil. Let cook until skins pop. Add boiling apple juice, raisins, chopped orange and sugar. Bring to a boil and simmer about 20 minutes. Transfer to a serving bowl and stir in nuts. Makes 3 and 1/2 cups. Takes about 30 to 40 minutes. *Theo�s mom�s shortcut is to take a can of mandarin oranges. Stick a knife in the can, and chop of the orange sections in the can. � � Scribble to Theo previous - next �