​Homemade Cranberry-Orange Relish

Cranberries freeze well, so buy them while they are in season to enjoy all winter long. I adore baking with cranberries because they retain their shape so well. The tart flavor of these scarlet-hued berries pairs well with oranges and another great fall fruit, apples. Try an apple-cranberry cobbler or a cranberry quick bread with orange zest. It's a snap to remove just the zest of the orange using a Microplane Zester.

Of course, many of us only eat cranberries once a year at Thanksgiving. That’s fine too. But if you are buying that jellied cranberry sauce from a can, you are missing out on how good real cranberry sauce can be. My homemade version uses fresh cranberries from the farmers' market and is flavored with ginger and orange zest. It’s better than any cranberry sauce from the store!

I make my cranberry sauce in October, before the farmers’ market closes for the season, and can it for shelf-stability. Many people are intimidated by canning, but there is no need to be. As long as you follow tested recipes, canning is a very safe and easy method of home food preservation. Be sure to use the correct equipment, such as Orchard Road glass canning jars with two-piece lids and bands and a funnel for filling your jars such as the Gourmac canning funnel.

You also do not need to be a canner to make this recipe. Just make it closer to Thanksgiving and keep it in the refrigerator until your holiday dinner. This recipe makes four pints, which is more than one family needs, so if you do not plan to can the cranberry sauce, you can either give some away to your neighbors for their Thanksgiving tables, which would be a lovely gesture, or halve the recipe.

Make sure to cook your cranberry sauce in a large, heavy-bottomed pot such as a a Le Creuset 5.5 quart round Dutch oven. The enamel surface is impermeable, which is helpful when working with highly acidic ingredients like cranberries, and the heavy, cast-iron construction ensures even heating without scorching. (A beautiful Le Creuset pot, which is among the most durable and versatile cookware available, would make a terrific holiday gift for the cook in your life.)

Of course, there is no rule saying that we can only eat cranberry sauce once a year. This sauce would be good on turkey sandwiches or roasted meats all year round. It would also make a fine accompaniment to a cheese tray. It is especially delicious with a sharp cheddar!

Looking for some other delicious Thanksgiving sides? Check out these 3 Delicious & Healthy Vegetarian Thanksgiving Side Dishes.