Cranberry Sauce
Cranberry sauce is a staple at many holiday tables, and in New England, it is a must-have. It’s tangy and sweet flavor compliments turkey or ham perfectly, making it the perfect complement to any holiday dish. In this recipe, we will show you how to make a classic New England Cranberry sauce that is sure to impress your guests.
New England is renowned for its cranberry bogs and farms, where the fruit is grown and harvested every year. Cranberry sauce made from fresh New England cranberries is a perfect way to showcase this delightful fruit’s taste, and it adds a regional touch to your holiday meal.
The cranberry is a small, red fruit that grows in bogs, primarily in the Northeastern United States. The bogs are flooded with water that is about 20 inches deep, and the shallow bodies of water cause the cranberries to float to the top, making it easier to harvest. They are harvested in the fall, with the harvest season extending from late September through early November. In New England, cranberries are everywhere, and farmers take advantage of their abundance by making various cranberry products, from jams to juices and sauces.
This New England cranberry sauce recipe is simple to make, and it uses just a few ingredients. The beauty of this recipe is that it allows the natural tartness of the cranberries to shine. The recipe combines the tart flavor of the cranberries with the sweetness of sugar, and the result is a sauce that will delight your taste buds. This recipe’s ingredient list includes fresh cranberries, sugar, fresh orange juice, zest of an orange, salt, and water.
To make this recipe, you start by rinsing the cranberries and removing any bad or unripe ones. Boil water and sugar in a pot and add cranberries to it. Let it cook for 10-15 minutes until the cranberries have burst, and the sauce has thickened. Add fresh orange juice and zest to the pot and mix in the salt. Cook it for another 5-10 minutes until you see the sauce thicken.
New England Cranberry sauce is an excellent addition to a holiday meal, and it’s easy to make, whether you are a seasoned chef or a novice cook. The tart and slightly bitter cranberries are balanced by adding sugar to create a sweet and tangy flavor. The addition of orange juice and zest adds a citrusy flavor that pairs well with the cranberries, giving the sauce an extra level of complexity. The salt in the recipe helps balance the sweetness of the sugar and enhances the overall taste of the sauce.
In summary, New England Cranberry sauce is a classic sauce that adds a touch of the region’s flavor and makes any holiday meal unforgettable. It’s a simple recipe that can be made in just a few minutes and is sure to impress your family and friends. With the perfect balance of sweetness and tartness, this sauce will become a staple in your holiday meal traditions, and it will become one of your family’s favorites.
Ingredients:
- 1 12-ounce package fresh cranberries
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup orange juice
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 cinnamon stick
Instructions:
- Rinse the cranberries and remove any stems or blemished berries.
- In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, orange juice, water, and cinnamon stick.
- Over medium heat, bring the mixture to a boil.
- Reduce heat to low and let simmer for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- As the berries cook, they will begin to burst and thicken the sauce.
- Once the sauce has thickened to your desired consistency, remove the cinnamon stick.
- Transfer to a bowl and let cool to room temperature.
- Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Enjoy your homemade New England Cranberry Sauce as a perfect accompaniment to your holiday turkey or ham!