CRAZY ABOUT CRANBERRIES.One of my favorite My Favorite is an independent synthpop band from Long Island, New York. They released two CDs: Love at Absolute Zero and Happiest Days of Our Lives. My Favorite broke up on September 14, 2005, when singer Andrea Vaughn left the band. getaways is the Long Beach Peninsula The Long Beach Peninsula is an arm of land in western Washington state. It is bounded on the west by the Pacific Ocean, the south by the Columbia River, and the east by Willapa Bay. in Washington State, where a third of the nation's cranberry crop is grown. At the cranberry museum you can learn the history of cranberry farming and take bog tours in the fall. Throughout the local towns you can get such things as cranberry pancakes and toppings, cranberry ice cream, and cranberry candy. Everywhere you look, you're reminded that cranberries help keep these communities alive. And though others may sing the delights of fall pumpkins or crunchy sweet apples, the season hasn't really started until I savor the sassy-sweet flavor of freshly cooked cranberries. Nutritionally, cranberries are rich in vitamin C vitamin C or ascorbic acid Water-soluble organic compound important in animal metabolism. Most animals produce it in their bodies, but humans, other primates, and guinea pigs need it in the diet to prevent scurvy. and fiber. Though commercial drinks usually contain too much sugar, you can make your own cranberry juice Noun 1. cranberry juice - the juice of cranberries (always diluted and sweetened) fruit crush, fruit juice - drink produced by squeezing or crushing fruit by cooking and straining the berries and sweetening it with a fruit sweetener--or you can drink it unsweetened. Native to North America North America, third largest continent (1990 est. pop. 365,000,000), c.9,400,000 sq mi (24,346,000 sq km), the northern of the two continents of the Western Hemisphere. , cranberries grew wild in bogs from Nova Scotia to North Carolina North Carolina, state in the SE United States. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean (E), South Carolina and Georgia (S), Tennessee (W), and Virginia (N). Facts and Figures Area, 52,586 sq mi (136,198 sq km). Pop. , in New Jersey, Michigan, and on the west coasts of Washington and Oregon. Native Americans tended the bogs, hand weeding and harvesting the small red berries. Early settlers called them "crane-berries" because during one stage of growth the cranberry bud hooks downward resembling a crane's head. Later the name was shortened from "crane-berry" to cranberry. In the early 1800s it was discovered that when the wind blew sand over the bogs, the cranberries grew much more vigorously. Commercial cultivation began as swampy lowlands were cleared and bogs were created with layers of peat and sand. The sand gave the bogs better drainage and also helped protect the cranberries when the temperatures were freezing. Though they need a cool growing season, they are susceptible to frost. To combat this, growers today use sprinkler systems. As the water from the sprinklers freezes over the flesh of the fruit, the berries are kept from freezing. Though we don't usually start thinking about cranberries until October, in late May the bogs are filled with millions of pink blossoms. In June, growers hire beekeepers to bring hives hives (urticaria), rash consisting of blotches or localized swellings (wheals) of the skin, caused by an allergic reaction (see allergy). The swelling is caused by distention of the skin capillaries and escape of serum and white cells into the skin and tissues. to their bogs to pollinate pol·li·nate also pol·len·ate tr.v. pol·li·nat·ed also pol·len·at·ed, pol·li·nat·ing also pol·len·at·ing, pol·li·nates also pol·len·ates To transfer pollen from an anther to the stigma of (a flower). cranberry flowers for the next few weeks. In the past, cranberry crops were almost totally dependant on bumblebees for pollination pollination, transfer of pollen from the male reproductive organ (stamen or staminate cone) to the female reproductive organ (pistil or pistillate cone) of the same or of another flower or cone. , but as the bumblebee bumblebee: see bee. bumblebee Any member of two genera constituting the insect tribe Bombini (family Apidae, order Hymenoptera), found almost worldwide but most common in temperate climates. Bumblebees are robust and hairy, average about 0. population has declined and crops have increased, they have been replaced with honeybees, which work more slowly and are more easily distracted by other surrounding plants. By August most of the berries have reached full-size and have begun to turn red. By September, they are a deep red color--one of the most beautiful sights of autumn. Harvesting begins in October and runs through November. The deeper the color of the cranberry, the better the market price, so sometimes farmers try to hold off harvesting, hoping for more cool nights and better colored berries. Berries are either dry or wet harvested. Fresh cranberries in the produce section of your grocery store are dry harvested. Wet harvested berries are processed as juice or made into sauces or relish. In wet harvesting, the night before the harvest, the bogs are flooded. The next day mechanical water reels knock the berries off the vines, and the floating cranberries are corralled and then collected. Many commercial growers belong to Ocean Spray Growers Cooperative, which processes and markets the berries. Though most commercially grown cranberries use irrigation irrigation, in agriculture, artificial watering of the land. Although used chiefly in regions with annual rainfall of less than 20 in. (51 cm), it is also used in wetter areas to grow certain crops, e.g., rice. systems to apply fertilizers, fungicides This page aims to list well-known chemical compounds, to stimulate the creation of Wikipedia articles. This list is not necessarily complete or up to date – if you see an article that should be here but isn't (or one that shouldn't be here but is), please update the page , and pesticides, there is a small number of organic cranberry farmers emerging. It's a difficult process because growers often have to wait seven years to get their first harvest, and since cranberries are susceptible to fungus, their crops can easily be wiped out. Here in the Northwest, the Coquilles--a Native American tribe in Oregon near Coos Bay--are finding their organic, hand-weeded, and harvested cranberries in high demand. The quality of their vine-ripened berries is exceptional, with a rich, sweet flavor. When selecting berries, look for those that are bright red, hard, and plump. Avoid soft, dull, or shriveled shriv·el intr. & tr.v. shriv·eled or shriv·elled, shriv·el·ing or shriv·el·ling, shriv·els 1. To become or make shrunken and wrinkled, often by drying: berries. Cranberries will keep up to two months refrigerated re·frig·er·ate tr.v. re·frig·er·at·ed, re·frig·er·at·ing, re·frig·er·ates 1. To cool or chill (a substance). 2. To preserve (food) by chilling. , or you can seal them in plastic bags or a container and freeze them. They will keep until the next harvest. The following are some of my favorite cranberry recipes. When creating your own recipes, remember their tart flavor is best balanced with sweet ingredients such as apples, pineapples, pears, or oranges. You can also use frozen cranberries for all these recipes. Note: For more information about bog bus tours or the cranberry museum in Washington, call the Pacific Coast Cranberry Foundation Museum at (360) 642-4938. ORANGE-CRANBERRY "BUTTER" (Makes 1 cup) This topping is excellent on hot biscuits or fresh bread. Refrigerated, it will keep for about one week. 2 medium pears or apples, peeled, cored, and sliced 1 1/2 cups fresh cranberries 1/2 cup orange juice 1 teaspoon orange zest 1/2 cup water 3/4 to 1 cup organic or raw sugar 1 to 2 Tablespoons brandy (optional) In a medium saucepan combine pears or apples, cranberries, orange juice, zest, and water. Bring to a boil and simmer for about 5 minutes or until fruit is tender. Puree pu·rée or pu·ree tr.v. pu·réed or pu·reed, pu·rée·ing or pu·ree·ing, pu·rées or pu·rees To rub through a strainer or process (food) in a blender. n. in a blender until smooth. Return to pan and add sugar and brandy, if desired. Cook on medium-low, stirring frequently, until very thick. Once the "butter" begins to thicken thick·en tr. & intr.v. thick·ened, thick·en·ing, thick·ens 1. To make or become thick or thicker: Thicken the sauce with cornstarch. The crowd thickened near the doorway. 2. , stir constantly so mixture doesn't burn. Cool before serving. 1 Tbsp without brandy: Total calories per serving: 48 Carbohydrates: 12 grams Sodium: 4 milligrams Fat: 0 grams Protein: 0 grams Fiber: 1 gram CRANBERRY-APPLESAUCE (Makes about 2 cups (4 servings)) Traditional cranberry sauce usually calls for a 2:1 ratio of berries to sugar. Adding another sweet fruit such as apples helps cut down on the amount of sugar without compromising the taste. Fruit sweetener Sweetener A special feature added to a debt obligation or preferred stock to promote marketability. Notes: Warrants and convertibles are two popular sweeteners. See also: Convertible Bond, Kicker, Warrant Sweetener , Sucanat, or unrefined organic sugar can be found in natural foods stores. 2 cups peeled sliced apples (use a sweet-tart apple such as Jonagold, Granny Smith, or McIntosh) 2 cups fresh cranberries 1/2 cup apple juice 1 Tablespoon lemon juice 1/4 cup fruit sweetener or organic sugar 1 teaspoon almond extract Cook all ingredients in a saucepan until fruit is tender--about 5 to 7 minutes. Puree 2 cups at a time in a blender. Return to saucepan and cook until mixture thickens to consistency you desire. Total calories per serving: 122 Carbohydrates: 30 grams Sodium: 6 milligrams Fat: 0 grams Protein: 0 grams Fiber: 4 grams WARMING CRANBERRY-APPLE CIDER (Serves 8) As a non-alcoholic beverage to serve guests, this warming cider is a healthy option. 4 to 5 cups fresh cranberries 8 cups apple cider 1/2 cup fruit sweetener or 1/4 cup unrefined sugar (preferably organic) 2 cinnamon sticks 1 orange, sliced into rounds * Special equipment: cheesecloth cheese·cloth n. A coarse, loosely woven cotton gauze, originally used for wrapping cheese. cheesecloth Noun a light, loosely woven cotton cloth Noun 1. Combine cranberries with 2 cups apple cider in a saucepan. Cook on medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes or until berries are soft. Blend in blender, then strain through cheesecloth. Transfer juice back to saucepan and add remaining cider, fruit sweetener or sugar, cinnamon sticks, and orange slices. Cook, covered, on low for another 20 minutes. Serve warm. Total calories per serving: 195 Carbohydrates: 49 grams Sodium: 13 milligrams Fat: 0 grams Protein: 1 gram Fiber: 3 grams HEAVENLY SQUASH, CRANBERRIES, AND RICE (Serves 8) Here the tart cranberries are balanced with the sweetness of caramelized onions, sweet winter squash, and currants. Top this beautiful dish with toasted nuts for special occasions. Try serving this with braised braise tr.v. braised, brais·ing, brais·es To cook (meat or vegetables) by browning in fat, then simmering in a small quantity of liquid in a covered container. winter greens and warm country cornbread. This dish is pictured on the front cover of this issue. 2 Tablespoons olive, canola, or light sesame oil 1 large onion, chopped (about 2 cups) 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced 1/4 cup apple juice 1/3 cup currants 1 cup fresh cranberries 2 cups cut-up butternut squash (1 pound) 1/2 teaspoon salt 2 1/2 cups cooked brown rice 1 cup finely chopped celery 1/4 cup lightly toasted, chopped walnuts or pecans (optional) Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat. Add oil, onion, and jalapeno. Cover and cook for about 5 minutes, or until onions are transparent. Remove lid and cook on low for about 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until onions are lightly browned. Add the apple juice, currants, cranberries, and squash. Cover and cook for about 15 minutes or until squash is fork-tender and berries are soft. Blend in salt. Stir in rice and continue to cook until rice is heated. Remove to serving bowl. Mix in chopped celery. Top with toasted nuts, if desired. without walnuts: Total calories per serving: 157 Carbohydrates: 29 grams Sodium: 165 milligrams Fat: 4 grams Protein: 3 grams Fiber: 4 grams DOUBLE CRANBERRY SODA BREAD (Makes 1 loaf (6 servings)) This version of soda bread is a bit sweeter than the traditional Irish soda bread Noun 1. Irish soda bread - round loaf made with soda and buttermilk; often containing caraway seeds and raisins quick bread - breads made with a leavening agent that permits immediate baking . I like to serve it for brunch or at a get-together with friends. Juice and zest of 1 orange Vanilla rice milk or soymilk to make 1 cup (when added to orange juice) 3 Tablespoons canola oil 1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour 1 cup whole wheat pastry flour 1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 cup unrefined organic sugar 1 cup fresh cranberries, roughly chopped 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1/4 cup lightly toasted, chopped walnuts (optional) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly oil a baking sheet or line with parchment paper. Combine juice and zest of orange with the soy or rice milk to make 1 cup. Add oil and whisk together with a fork. Set aside. Blend flours and baking soda baking soda: see sodium bicarbonate. together, stirring to make sure there are no small lumps of soda. Mix in sugar, fresh and dried cranberries, and walnuts, if desired. Add liquid ingredients to dry ingredients, stirring until a stiff dough is formed. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured board and knead knead tr.v. knead·ed, knead·ing, kneads 1. To mix and work into a uniform mass, as by folding, pressing, and stretching with the hands: kneading dough. 2. a few turns. Shape into a round loaf and place on the prepared baking sheet. With a sharp knife cut an X across the top about 1/2-inch deep (to allow for dough expansion when baking). Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until a toothpick toothpick, n a wood sliver used to cleanse the interdental space. toothpick, balsa wood, n a triangular wedge of balsa wood used to clean the teeth interproximally and stimulate the interdental gingival tissues. comes out clean and the top is browned. Remove to cooling rack. Cool 10 to 15 minutes before slicing--if you can wait that long! without walnuts: Total calories per serving: 306 Carbohydrates: 54 grams Sodium: 228 milligrams Fat: 8 grams Protein: 7 grams Fiber: 7 grams CRANBERRY-APPLE COBBLER (Serves 8 to 10) If you're thinking about a holiday pie, consider making a cobbler instead. There is one fewer crust and much less fat, plus you have the delicious flavor of freshly baked fruit to enjoy! This delicious, sweet-tart dessert even gets raves from those who claim to dislike cranberries! For a Cranberry-Pear Cobbler, substitute 3 cups sliced Bosc pears for the apples. Filling: 3 cups fresh cranberries 3 cups peeled, sliced, sweet-tart apples (Granny Smiths are a good choice) One 8-ounce can pineapple chunks 1/2 cup unrefined organic sugar 1/4 cup arrowroot or cornstarch Crust: 1/2 cup plain soy or rice milk 2 teaspoons lemon juice 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 cup unrefined organic sugar or Sucanat 1/4 cup canola oil 1 Tablespoon each: soy or rice milk and organic sugar Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Coarsely chop cranberries in a blender or food processor. Combine them with apples, pineapple chunks, sugar, and arrowroot arrowroot, any plant of the genus Maranta, usually large perennial herbs, of the family Marantaceae, found chiefly in warm, swampy forest habitats of the Americas and sometimes cultivated for their ornamental leaves. or cornstarch cornstarch, material made by pulverizing the ground, dried residue of corn grains after preparatory soaking and the removal of the embryo and the outer covering. It is used as laundry starch, in sizing paper, in making adhesives, and in cooking. . Mix well. Pour into a 9x13-inch baking dish. Blend soy or rice milk with lemon juice and set aside. In a medium mixing bowl, mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, and sugar, blending well, making sure there are no small lumps. Pour in canola oil and mix with a fork until mixture is crumbly crum·bly adj. crum·bli·er, crum·bli·est Easily crumbled; friable. crum  bli·ness n.Adj. 1. . Add soy or rice milk and lemon juice, and stir until a stiff dough is formed. Add a little more flour, if necessary, for a stiff dough. Roll dough out on a lightly floured board to a 13x9-inch rectangle. Carefully lift dough and place over fruit. Press down. Brush with milk/lemon juice mixture, and sprinkle with sugar. (This makes the crust brown nicely and gives a little sparkle to it.) Cut about 5 slits in the pattern of a star in the top. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until crust is done and the filling is bubbling. Cool about 15 minutes before serving. Total calories per serving: 288 Carbohydrates: 54 grams Sodium: 211 milligrams Fat: 8 grams Protein: 4 grams Fiber: 5 grams CRANBERRY FRUIT SALAD (Serves 8) Agar Agar, in the Bible Agar (ā`gər), the same as Hagar. agar, substance obtained from seaweed agar (ä`gär, ā`–, ăg`är) , sometimes known as "Vegetarian Jell-O," makes a tasty holiday treat that young and old alike will enjoy. Agar or agar-agar a·gar also a·gar-a·gar n. 1. A gelatinous material derived from certain marine algae. It is used as a base for bacterial culture media and as a stabilizer and thickener in many food products. 2. is a marine algae algae (ăl`jē) [plural of Lat. alga=seaweed], a large and diverse group of primarily aquatic plantlike organisms. These organisms were previously classified as a primitive subkingdom of the plant kingdom, the thallophytes (plants that that is flavorless. You can find it in natural foods stores or Asian markets. 3 1/2 cups cranberry-apple or apple juice 1 1/2 cups cranberries One 8-ounce can crushed pineapple 1/4 teaspoon salt 4 Tablespoons agar flakes 1 cup blueberries 1 banana Combine juice, cranberries, pineapple, salt, and agar flakes in a saucepan. Bring to a boil. Simmer, stirring for five minutes or until agar is dissolved and cranberries are soft. Add blueberries, and cook for about one more minute. Pour into mold. Stir in sliced banana. Refrigerate re·frig·er·ate tr.v. re·frig·er·at·ed, re·frig·er·at·ing, re·frig·er·ates 1. To cool or chill (a substance). 2. To preserve (food) by chilling. until firm. Total calories per serving: 115 Carbohydrates: 29 grams Sodium: 77 milligrams Fat: 0 grams Protein: 1 gram Fiber: 2 grams WHOLE CRANBERRY-PINEAPPLE SAUCE (Makes 3 cups (6 servings)) Pineapples and cranberries pair well together in this non-traditional cranberry sauce which can be flavored with freshly grated ginger or lemon zest. (The zest is the outer peel of a citrus fruit.) 2 cups fresh cranberries One 8-ounce can crushed pineapple 1/2 cup mixed berry or apple juice 1/4 to 1/2 cup fruit sweetener 1 to 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger or lemon zest Combine ingredients in a saucepan, starting out with 1/4 cup fruit sweetener. Stir and cook over medium heat for about 10 minutes (or until mixture looks thick and saucy sauc·y adj. sauc·i·er, sauc·i·est 1. a. Impertinent or disrespectful. b. Impertinent in an entertaining way; impossible to repress or control. 2. ). Sweeten sweet·en v. sweet·ened, sweet·en·ing, sweet·ens v.tr. 1. To make sweet or sweeter by adding sugar, honey, saccharin, or another sweet substance. 2. To make more pleasant or agreeable. to taste. Total calories per serving: 69 Carbohydrates: 18 grams Sodium: 5 milligrams Fat: 0 grams Protein: 0 grams Fiber: 2 grams CREAMY CRANBERRY-APPLE WHIP (Makes 2 cups (4 servings)) Made with Cranberry Applesauce, this easy pudding makes an excellent last-minute dessert. 1 cup Cranberry Applesauce (see recipe, page 15) 1 cup silken tofu 1 Tablespoon finely chopped walnuts or pecans, or grated coconut In a blender or with a hand blender, combine Cranberry Applesauce and silken tofu tofu Soft, bland, custardlike food product made from soybeans. Believed to date from China's Han dynasty (206 BC–AD 220), tofu is today an important source of protein in the cuisines of East and Southeast Asia. and blend until smooth and creamy. Mix in chopped nuts or grated coconut, if desired. Total calories per serving: 107 Carbohydrates: 17 grams Sodium: 6 milligrams Fat: 3 grams Protein: 3 grams Fiber: 1 gram Debra Daniels-Zeller is a freelance write from Washington. |
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