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Many of us recognize cranberries around Thanksgiving time as that sweet-tart relish we enjoy alongside our turkey.  Or maybe we slide prepared cranberry sauce out of a can or stir them into a quick bread for a tasty treat.  This versatile fruit, or berry, has many healthy advantages as well as delicious options for serving.  Let's take a look at what cranberries have to offer us.

What is it?

Cranberries grow on creeping shrubs or bushes in the Northern Hemisphere, particular in cooler climates. You'll see this abundant crop often grown in bog conditions in areas of Canada and the Northern United States. The berries are most often cultivated for sauces, juice, and dried fruit for consumers, as well as fresh. Cranberries are currently enjoying super-food status due to awareness of the healthy qualities they possess.

Growing cranberries in bogs, and flooding those bogs for harvest, has several advantages.  At first, it was believed only that the harvesting was easier when the cranberries floated on the water, but more research has shown that cranberries floating in bogs receive more sunlight than in other methods, and the antioxidants in the berries are boosted by the additional sunshine.

History

Early American settlers made reference to natives using the berries as food and medicine as early as the mid16th century. Settlers soon adopted a taste for cranberries and used them in recipes at the time, including the traditional Autumn harvest meal or Thanksgiving. Cool weather berries were a blessing, and a life saver, offering much needed nutrition for the early settlers, and cranberries fit the bill perfectly.

Cranberries have been so important in the development of an agricultural base in the northern states that Wisconsin, which leads the nation in the production of cranberries, has named the cranberry the official state fruit. 

Health Benefits

The most widely published health benefits of cranberries is the treatment for urinary tract infections in women. Specifically, the proanthocyanidins appear to provide a barrier against bacteria that causes the infection. Other studies are applying this concept to see whether the berries can also destroy bacteria that cause stomach ulcers.

Anthocyanins are powerful antioxidants that give the berries their deep red color.  These antioxidants help reduce inflammation in the body as well as preventing damage from free-radicals. Cranberries are also being studied for cancer-preventing qualities.

Additionally, cranberries supply manganese, fiber, vitamin C, as well as other essential nutrients. One cautionary note is that both cranberries and blueberries contain oxalate, which is a chemical that can add to the risk for kidney stones for those with a proclivity or history.

Fun Facts

Cranberries were named by Early American settlers who held that the blossoms appeared to resemble the sandhill crane. Hence, they initially called them “crane berries.” In New England, residents sometimes referred to them a “bear berries” since they often saw bears enjoying the fruit.

Originally stored and shipped in wooden barrels weighing 100 pounds each, the “barrel” standard is still used today, although the wooden barrel has been replaced with lighter freight containers.  Regarding growing them in bogs, cranberries do not grow in the water, they float on the water, making them easier to harvest as well as exposing them to more sunlight as they ripen.
Cranberries are ingredients in more than a thousand food and beverage products, with only 5% of Wisconsin's crop actually sold as fresh berries, although those bags of fresh cranberries serve as a reminder every fall to enjoy this nutritional powerhouse.

How to Eat

Fresh cranberries store well frozen whole for as long as two years. When ready to use, it works best to chop up the berries while still frozen, then added directly to recipes.

Most people get their fill of cranberries from juice or sauce, particularly during the holidays. As a healthy fruit, however, the usual line-up of cookies, bread, scones, and muffins are certainly good ways to enjoy them. Cranberry chutney and relish is also delicious, as well as jam and sweet salads with other fruits like pineapple, apples, and orange juice. Keeping a bag of frozen cranberries ready and waiting will give you all sorts of incentive to experiment.

Wine made from cranberries is a very popular treat. Cranberry juice is another beverage many people enjoy.  However, it's important to look for brands that add the least amount of sugar possible when including cranberry juice in your healthy diet.  100% cranberry juice is available but can be very tart and often bitter.  That's why you will normally find blends of cranberry-apple juice and similar blends.  Another very popular option for enjoying cranberries in your diet is the dried cranberry snack.  Add a sprinkling to salads or just grab a handful right out of the bag, much like you would raisins.

Cranberries have definitely earned the super-food label, just like other colorful berries.  It's easy to find ways to enjoy the health benefits with a cool crisp glass of juice or as a sweet addition to a meal or snack. Cranberries are such a versatile fruit, you won't have any trouble finding ways to incorporate them into your diet – far beyond the Thanksgiving table.

 

Cranberry Recipes

Cranberry Glazed Raspberry Melon Dessert Cup

1/2 cup cranberry juice cocktail
1 Tbsp sugar
2 tsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp almond extract
3 cups cantaloupe cubes or balls
1 cup raspberries
Mint leaves, optional

In a saucepan, whisk together the juice, sugar, and cornstarch, then put over medium heat and stir until thickened.
Remove from heat and add almond extract, stirring to combine.
Allow mixture to cool in refrigerator until ready to serve.
To serve, combine cantaloupe balls and raspberries in individual dessert bowls.
Pour sauce over the top and garnish with a mint leaf.
This makes 4 to 6 dessert servings.

Cranberry Pecan Pinwheels With Orange Glaze         

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

orange glaze:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 Tbsp fresh orange juice
1/2 tsp orange zest

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and cover cookie sheet with parchment paper; set aside.
On a working surface covered with a piece of parchment paper, unroll the crescent roll dough in one piece out onto the parchment paper, forming a rectangle about the size of a sheet of paper. Seal the perforations in the crescent rolls by pinching closed with your fingers.
Spread the cranberries evenly over the dough, then the pecans, and finally the brown sugar.
Roll the dough into a log starting at the long edge, as tightly as you can (use the parchment paper to get you started), then pinch the seam shut the best you can.
Cut log with a sharp knife into 16 pieces; you will probably flatten them somewhat so just round them up again; then arrange each piece about 2 inches apart on the prepared cookie sheet.
Bake in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until they get golden brown.

Prepare glaze:  mix powdered sugar, juice, and zest in small bowl until well blended.  This should be loose enough to drizzle, but not watery. 
When you remove pinwheels from oven, drizzle glaze over while they're still warm, but not hot. Serve warm.
Makes 16 pinwheels.

Savory Sweet Cranberry Ginger Chutney

1 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup finely minced shallot
1 Tbsp finely grated fresh ginger
1 bag (12 oz size) fresh cranberries, rinsed and sorted
1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
1 cup water
kosher salt and ground pepper

Put oil in a large saucepan over medium-low heat.
Add the shallots and ginger and cook until shallots are soft, about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add the cleaned cranberries, sugar, red wine vinegar, and water and bring the mixture to a boil, reduce heat immediately and simmer slowly for about 10 to 15 minutes, stirring often.
The berries will soften and split and the mixture will thicken.
Add salt and pepper, taste, adjust, and remove from heat.
This may be served at room temperature or chilled in the refrigerator.
Serve alongside grilled pork, roast chicken, turkey, or other meats.

Cranberry Crumble

Cooking spray
2 cups fresh cranberries
1/3 cup plus 1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 egg
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter or margarine, melted
1 quart vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch pie plate with nonstick spray.
Put cranberries in pie plate. Sprinkle with the 1/3 cup sugar and nuts.
Beat egg well, adding the 1/2 cup sugar gradually. Beat until foamy.
Add flour and melted butter or margarine. Beat until thoroughly blended. Pour over the cranberries.
Bake for 45 minutes. Crust should be golden brown.
Serve warm with ice cream or frozen yogurt. Serves 6.

Cranberry Waldorf Salad

2 cups fresh cranberries
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup apples, peeled and diced
1 cup grape halves
1 cup orange sections
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Chantilly Dressing
4 tablespoons whipped cream
2 tablespoons confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup mayonnaise
Mix thoroughly.

Wash cranberries and chop coarsely. Add sugar and let set overnight in refrigerator.
Combine cranberries, apples, grapes, oranges and nuts. Toss lightly. Top with a ribbon of Chantilly Dressing.