Cranberry in Fall Meals

We love a good cranberry sauce that dresses our Thanksgiving turkey. But what else can you use cranberries in? Since they’re in season from early fall to late winter, there is plenty of time to take advantage of their peak flavor.

Whether you’re making a savory side dish or a sweet pre-dinner cocktail, this tart fruit can be front and center in all kinds of courses. This year, Eat a Cranberry Day aptly falls on Nov. 23, just one day before the big feast. Try out one (or all!) of these recipes for your fall get-together.

When thinking of food pairings, cranberries and sweet potatoes is not usually the first one that comes to mind. The addition of creamy delicata squash makes this a unique and delicious side dish that will be a hit with your guests. A little crumbled goat cheese on top wouldn’t hurt, either.

Try this recipe from Epicurious.

This twist on the traditional canned cranberry sauce adds brown sugar, chipotle powder and cinnamon to create a sauce with just enough kick to forever hold a spot on your holiday menu.

Find this recipe at Taste of Home

Dried cranberries can add a burst of flavor to a fall or winter salad, and they go especially well with autumnal produce like pumpkin and butternut squash. We’re fans of Ina Garten’s recipe, which is topped off by a dressing with apple cider vinegar and minced shallots, along with freshly grated Parmesan that offsets much of this dish’s sweet fall flavors.

With a 10-minute prep time, this fruitful dessert won’t have you slaving away in the kitchen. This recipe from Martha Stewart uses fresh (or frozen) cranberries and is both prepared and baked in an iron skillet for easy cleanup.

Muddled fresh cranberries are the star of this cocktail from Brit + Co, followed by a healthy holiday mix of pear slices, gin and ginger beer. Top off each drink with a garnish of fresh cranberries and a rosemary sprig.

If you’re buying fresh cranberries, here are a few tips for picking the best of the bunch.

• Look for berries that are firm and brightly colored.
• Don’t go for bags that have shriveled or brown berries at the bottom.
• You can store them for up to two weeks in the refrigerator in their original packaging.

You can find fresh cranberries for your holiday meals at your local Doris Market.