Northern Europe, northern Asia and northern North America
Colors
Green when young turning to bright red-color
Shapes
Small, round, berry up to 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in.) broad
Taste
Tart and tangy taste
Calories
51 Kcal./cup
Major nutrients
Vitamin C (17.11%)
Manganese (12.78%)
Total dietary Fiber (10.53%)
Carbohydrate (10.13%)
Vitamin E (9.67%)
Health benefits
Urinary tract infections, Beat Diabetes, Protect against cancer, Works Well for Oily Skin, Weight Loss, Fights Oral Problems, Halts Premature Aging, Makes Bones Strong, Ulcers, Boosts Immunity, Treats Dandruff, Reduces Risk of Heart Disease, Natural Lip Gloss, Halts Premature Aging, Protects Skin and Makes it Healthy,
Vaccinium oxycoccos commonly known as Cranberries are a fruit that is native to cool temperate northern hemisphere, including northern Europe, northern Asia and northern North America. Cranberries are now grown in 18 different counties throughout central and northern Wisconsin. It is a species of flowering plant in the Ericaceae (Heath family). Some of the popular common names of the fruit are European cranberry, Cranberry, Moss berry, Small cranberry, Bog cranberry, Marsh berry, Swamp cranberry, Small cranberry and northern cranberry.
They were used by American Indians for food, clothing dye, and medicine. Europeans named the fruit “crane berry” because they thought the blossom looked like the head of a sand hill crane. Commercially-grown cranberries in the northern United States and southern Canada are somewhat larger than the wild varieties grown in the southern regions of the U.S. and throughout Europe.
Plant Description
Cranberry is an evergreen, dwarf, creeping shrub or a low-lying trailing vine that grows up to 2 meters (7 ft.) long and 5 to 20 centimeters (2 to 8 in) in height. The plant is found growing in ombro-trophic sphagnum bogs and minero-trophic fens in moist coastal and boreal forests. The best cranberry grows on different kinds of open, sedge and low-growing swamps as well as mossy open bogs. The plant grows on the poor, acidic soils (such as sandy bogs and marshes). The plant has slender, creeping, wiry, not so thick, woody stems and root at the nodes. Branches are slender and wiry, new branches erect to ascending, 4 to 5 inches long, brownish and minutely hairy or smooth. Older branches become dark reddish brown and smooth, spreading horizontally 1 to 2 feet, rooting at the nodes. Stems are often hidden under the moss.
Leaves
Leaves are simple and alternate, leathery and evergreen, toothless and hairless, ¼ to 1/3 inch long, 1/10 to 2/10 inch wide, oblong-elliptic, the base rounded and tips tapering to a point, and a very short stalk. The upper surface is dark green, smooth and shiny, the sides and edges typically strongly rolled under with the leaf tip reflexed upward; the lower surface is pale green and smooth with a white, waxy coating.
Flower
1 to 4 nodding flowers on long stalks, arising singly from axils of leaf-like bracts at the base of new shoots, the shoots rarely elongating. Flowers are ¼ to 3/8 inch long, white to pinkish with 4 narrowly lance shaped petals that tightly curl back, like a lily. Projecting from the center is a tight cluster of long, slender reddish stamens and a single, slender style that is longer than the stamens. The stalks are minutely hairy, often reddish with two opposite, tiny scale-like bracts that are typically at or below the middle of the stalk. Flowering normally takes place from Jun to August. Flowers are pollinated by bees.
Fruit
These beautiful flowers are followed by fruit that is a small, round, red color berry up to 10–15 mm (0.4–0.6 in.) broad, juicy, acidic berry, sweeter after frost. Fruit is initially green maturing to shiny dark red, and often persisting through winter. Each berry features four centrally placed tiny seeds enclosed in capsules. The berry is very acidic in taste, with pH in the range of 2.3 to 2.5. It mainly reproduces vegetatively. Cranberry season lasts from October until December.
Cranberries are a major commercial crop in certain American states and Canadian provinces. Most cranberries are processed into products such as juice, sauce, jam, and sweetened dried cranberries, with the remainder sold fresh to consumers. Cranberry sauce is a traditional accompaniment to turkey at Christmas dinner in the United Kingdom and at Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners in the United States and Canada.
Cranberries are native to the U.S. They are tasty and contain useful nutrients. Cranberries offer a range of possible health benefits. A diet with a high proportion of fruits and vegetables has been shown to offer health benefits. In addition, cranberries are a good source of various vitamins and antioxidants. Listed below are some of the well-known health benefits of using Cranberry
1. Urinary tract infections
Cranberry is perhaps best known for its role in preventing urinary tract infections (UTIs), particularly for those with recurrent infections. Cranberries consist of higher level of antioxidant proanthocyanidins (PACs) which helps to stop certain bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract walls. In this way, the PACs in cranberries help prevent infection.
2. Benefits the Digestive Tract
Cranberries are supposed to have cleansing, anti-diarrheal, anti-septic and diuretic detoxifying properties. They help the body to eliminate toxins and buildup, plus they aid in relieving water retention and bloating. Our digestive system goes beyond just our intestines and stomach — it is actually made up of our entire mouth, gums and colon too.
3. Halts Premature Aging
Free radicals are present in the atmosphere and in some of the products used by us. These free radicals can cause the skin to age prematurely. Juice of cranberry consists of antioxidants that help to fight against the free radicals to slow down the process of aging, making the skin look firm and beautiful.
4. Acne
Frequent consumption of cranberry or even applying its pulp can help to get rid of acne and blemishes. This method even helps to give a natural glow and blush to your face.
5. Inflammation
Cranberries have been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect, which can possibly benefit conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, stomach and digestive disorders, and our cardiovascular system, mostly the lining of our vessel walls.
6. Weight Loss
Cranberries consist of good amount of antioxidants, which help to flush out the system. This helps improves your metabolism and digestive system thus making you lose weight quickly.
7. Makes Bones Strong
Cranberries are a good source of calcium that helps strengthen your bones, teeth and nails. It also reduces the risk of developing osteoporosis. It is also a good source of vitamin K, another important vitamin for overall bone health. Vitamin K helps maintain calcium in the bone matrix gives the bones higher resilience and prevents bone density loss. This in turn decreases the risk of fractures.
One cup of raw cranberries or a glass of cranberry juice daily can play a key role in keeping your bones healthy and strong.
8. Protect against cancer
Researchers continue to identify more and more ways that cranberries are helpful in slowing tumor growth, and have shown positive effects against certain types of cancer, including prostate, lung, breast, and colon cancer.
9. Works Well for Oily Skin
Cranberry is acidic in nature. This helps to treat the oily skin. Mix some grounded oatmeal to the cranberry juice. Add a quarter cup of sugar and olive oil in the mixture. Blend everything together to make cranberry exfoliate. Rub this mixture gently on the oily skin. Rinse it with warm water and wipe it out gently. This mixture prevents sebum formation; thus helps to exfoliate the skin to offer it an oil-free look. Juice can also be mixed with honey. Rub the mixture on the face. Rinse it off with lukewarm water after leaving it for about 20 minutes. This works as an effective toner for the skin.
10. Reduces Risk of Heart Disease
Research involving participants who consume a normal dietary intake of cranberries, which is about one cup a day, show that the fruit can prevent the triggering of two enzymes that are essential in the development of heart disease. Cranberry has also been shown to prevent activation of these enzymes by blocking activity of a pro-inflammatory molecule called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha).
11. Fights Oral Problems
Cranberries also boost oral health and help prevent dental problems like gingivitis, gum disease, cavities and plaque buildup.
According to the research, the polyphenols in cranberries have potential benefits for dental caries and periodontal disease. These potential anti-caries agents prevent the production of organic acids and the formation of bio-films by cariogenic bacteria on the gums and teeth.
Additionally, the high vitamin C content in cranberries helps fight gum disease and infections. Drink one-half glass of unsweetened cranberry juice daily to help prevent bacteria from sticking to your teeth.
12. Ulcers
Certain types of stomach ulcers are related to a particular type of bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, and it’s possible that cranberries may help prevent these bacteria from attaching to the lining of the stomach, similar to how they can help prevent bacteria from attaching to the lining of the urinary tract.
13. Protects Skin and Makes it Healthy
Vitamin C, one of the astonishing components contained in cranberry juice, is essential for the formation of hydroxylisine, hydroxyproline, and amino acids required by the body to produce collagen. Oxygen and other important nutrients are responsible for keeping the skin firm and soft. They also make the skin look radiant and young. Collagen present in the cranberry juice helps to serve this purpose. Drinking cranberry juice regularly also protects the skin against the harsh weather conditions in winters.
14. Natural Lip Gloss
Cranberry can be used to make an all-natural lip gloss. Emollients and antioxidants present in it help in keeping the lips healthy. Take 1 tbsp of almond oil, 1 teaspoon of each petroleum jelly and honey. Add 10 -12 cranberries to the mixture. Mix all the ingredients together. Keep this mixture in microwave for about 1-2 minutes and let it heat until it begins boiling. Gently mash the cranberries and stir the mixture well. Let the mixture sit for some time till it comes to normal room temperature. Remove the cranberry pieces by straining the mixture. Stir the mixture and allow it to cool down. Now, apply a small amount of this mixture onto the lips. This will keep the lips look moist and help them remain healthy always.
15. Treats Dandruff
Many scalp conditions can be treated with the help of cranberry juice. The properties, such as anti-fungal and anti-septic help in preventing dandruff. These properties also contribute to prevent psoriasis. It can be applied on the scalp directly to remove the conditions. Damaged hair can be cured effectively with the use of cranberry juice as cranberry juice contains Vitamin C.
16. Boosts Immunity
Immune-support benefits of cranberries are exciting. They are high in vitamin C, the best antioxidant for good immune power. Additionally, the phytochemicals in cranberries promote a healthy immune system. People with good immune systems are less prone to get the common cold and flu infections. Drink a glass of cranberry juice a day to reduce the chance of becoming sick.
17. Beat Diabetes
Phytochemical components help lower blood glucose and lipid levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes. So if you or someone in your family is looking to prevent or reverse type 2 diabetes, there’s cranberry juice to the rescue! It is one of the wonderful options for diabetes.
Traditional uses and benefits of Cranberry
Native Americans used the berries, twigs, and bark for medicinal purposes.
An infusion of the plant has been used to treat cases of slight nausea.
It is also used to treat for urinary infections, cystitis, and scurvy.
High level of acidity in cranberry prevents the growth of bacteria inside the body.
It consists of Proanthocyanidins which fights against bacteria and prevents the infections.
Pack prepared from cranberry helps to exfoliate the dead skin cells and eliminates the clogged pores.
It reduces wrinkle, redness, hyperpigmentation and fine lines.
It alleviates the signs of aging and prevents free radical damage.
It slows down the process of age related memory loss.
It combats oral problems like gingivitis and caries.
It prevents the sticking of food and bacteria on the teeth.
It improves the cardiovascular health and reduces the risk of heart diseases.
It prevents the oxidation of LDL cholesterol and maintains the level of HDL cholesterol.
It reduces inflammation and blood pressure.
It reduces the risk of Heart attack, Stroke and Atherosclerosis.
It improves blood flow and prevents the deposition of plague from the wall of blood vessel.
It is a good herbal remedy in treating infection of the urinary tract.
It is an effective cure for Leucorrhea.
Its juice increases the excretion of oxalic acid and uric acid.
It prevents Urinary tract infections.
It prevents bladder walls from bacterial attack and detoxifies the body.
It reduces the number of UTI episodes in renal transplant patients.
It inhibits the proliferation of cancer cells in Prostate, breast, liver, lungs and ovaries.
It prevents oxidative stress: the prime factor which causes cancer.
It reduces inflammation and prevents the formation of Blood clots.
In case of obesity, or if a person wants to lose weight, then have fresh cranberry juice daily.
It has anticancer and antitumor properties.
It inhibits the growth of tumor including Lymphoma, bladder, breast, colon, prostate, ovary, esophageal, lung, oral and gastric cancer cells.
It strengthens the bones and muscles. It reduces the development of Osteoporosis and bone fracture.
It is high fiber food which prevents indigestion and gastrointestinal diseases.
It eliminates the waste from the gut and promotes the digestive health.
Antibacterial property reduces the development of stomach ulcers.
It fights against bacterial and fungal infections and is good for Candidiasis.
It makes person less prone to infections like cold, flu and cough.
Ayurvedic Health benefits of Cranberry
UrinaryTractInfection: Take fresh cranberries and wash them. Extract the juice. Drink 2 glasses a day.
EscherichiaColi: Take Cranberry juice two times a day.
Haematuria: Drink cranberry juice two times a day.
Hematospermia: Take one glass of Cranberry juice two times a day.
Urethritis: Drink 1 cup of Cranberry juice daily without adding sugar to it. (Do not use if pregnant and allergic to Aspirin.)
Leucorrhoea: Consume 1 cup of cranberry juice once a day.
Cold: Boil cranberry in cold water until it splits them. Strain. Add some honey and drink. Have it once a day.
Piles: Drink 50 ml of cranberry juice once a day.
Pyelonephritis: Have one glass of cranberry juice once a day.
Obesity: Drink a cup of cranberry juice to lose weight.
GumDisease: Take 2-3 tbsp of cranberry juice and swish it in your mouth. Do it daily to prevents bacterial infections.
Cansidiasis: Drink a glass of fresh cranberry juice twice a day.
CloudyUrine: Have half glass of Cranberry juice daily.
Immunity: Have fresh cranberry juice daily.
Cancer: Fresh cranberry juice helps in combating cancer.
Atherosclerosis: Drink one glass of fresh cranberry juice daily.
BloodClots: Drink fresh juice daily.
KidneyStones: Take fresh cranberry juice and have 1 glass daily.
Candidiasis: Drink a glass of fresh cranberry juice twice a day.
Scurvy: Drink fresh juice of cranberry daily.
Skin: For healthy skin, drink fresh cranberry juice daily. OR Apply on your face too.
Hair: To get strong and shiny hair use cranberry. To repair damaged hair, add some apple cider vinegar.
Aging: To remain young, drink fresh cranberry juice daily.
Alopecia: Wash your hair with fresh cranberry juice. It treats dandruff and provides shiny hair.
Psoriasis: Apply fresh cranberry juice on the affected areas.
Alkalosis: Mix 1 tsp of honey in one glass of Cranberry juice. Drink it once a day.
Candida Albicans: Drink one glass of unsweetened cranberry juice twice daily for one week.
Mononucleosis: Drink 40 ml of fresh unsweetened cranberry juice once a day for one week.
Mycosis: Extract the juice of fresh cranberries. Drink one glass of the unsweetened juice daily for one month.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases: Drink 2 cups of fresh cranberries juice daily.
Stomach Polyps: Have a cup of fresh cranberry juice every day or have 5 to 10 dried cranberries every day.
Urinary Tract Infection: Have equal amount of Apple juice and cranberry juice. Mix them. Drink 250 ml of the mixture once a day.
Urinary tract infection: Add 5 g of Buchu root powder in a cup of cranberry juice. Drink it once a day.
Acne: Take 2 tbsp of fresh cranberry juice. Mix 1 tbsp of honey to it. Now take some dried orange peel. Powder it and mix all 3 ingredients well. Apply this paste on the affected areas. Leave it for 15 minutes. Wash it with cold water. It gives a soothing effect to the skin. It provides smooth and glowing skin.
Urinary Tract infections: Add 1 tsp of Uva ursi leaves in 200 ml of water. Simmer it for 30 minutes. Strain it off. Add 1 tsp of unsweetened cranberry juice in this decoction. Stir it. Drink a half cup of it daily to keep your urinary tract safe from infection.
Interstitial Cystitis: Boil 1 tbsp of crushed Uva ursi leaves in one glass of water. Simmer for 30 minutes. Strain it and add 1 tsp of unsweetened cranberry juice in it. Drink it daily.
Culinary Uses
Cranberry fruits have good flavor and are often used to make jams and jellies.
Fruit is high in pectin; this means that it can be mixed with fruits that are low in pectin to help them set when making jam.
An acid taste, the fruits are usually cooked in preserves etc.
Tea is made from the leaves.
Make a homemade trail mix with unsalted nuts, seeds, and dried cranberries.
Include a small handful of frozen cranberries in a fruit smoothie.
Add dried cranberries to your oatmeal or whole grain cereal.
Toss dried or fresh cranberries into your favorite muffins or cookie recipe.
Include fresh cranberries in an apple dessert like pie or cobbler for extra flavor.
These berries are also used in the production of cranberry wine.
The berry is also used in baking (muffins, scones, cakes and breads).
Method of enjoying Cranberries
Fresh, whole cranberries are by far the most healthful option – and fortunately, you can freeze fresh cranberries to use throughout the year. Here are six ways to enjoy fresh cranberries, beyond sugary sauces and sweet treats.
1. Smoothies
Toss a handful of cranberries (fresh or frozen whole, with no sugar added) into your favorite smoothie for a low-calorie boost of antioxidants.
2. Low-sugar compote
This is mainly whole-berry cranberry sauce made with a zero-calorie sweetener instead of sugar. Simply boil one cup water with the sweetener equivalent of one cup of sugar. Add 12 ounces of fresh cranberries, and simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour into a bowl and serve at room temperature, or cover and refrigerate. Serve this low-sugar cranberry compote with grilled chicken or fish, or add it to hot cereal, yogurt, or cottage cheese.
3. Popsicles
Blend fresh cranberries (or the above low-sugar compote) with plain 2 percent Greek yogurt, along with any other fresh fruit, herb, or spice of choice (lime, ginger, or mint work particularly well with cranberries), and freeze into Popsicle molds.
4. Salsa
Fresh cranberries can be blended and added to any salsa recipe, adding a sweet tartness.
5. “Ice” cubes
Freeze fresh whole cranberries to use as ice cubes in cocktails or even just sparkling water or iced tea.
6. Roasted cranberries
They’re a delicious addition to salads or whole grains like quinoa or brown rice. And they’re a cinch to make: Simply toss two cups cranberries with two teaspoons of olive oil, a tablespoon of chopped fresh mint, and one tablespoon of raw sugar or natural sugar replacer. Roast at 400 degrees for 15-20 minutes until they’re soft and slightly caramelized.
How to Buy and Find Cranberries
Cranberries are native to North America and are farmed today on about 40,000 acres across the northern United States and Canada. They are commonly used in American, European and Middle Eastern cuisines and can be found across the world in dried form.
Cranberry is a major commercial crop in certain American states and Canadian provinces, but the fruit definitely becomes most popular around the holiday season, used in many traditional side dishes at Thanksgiving dinners in the United States. Fall is usually the best time to get fresh cranberries, as they are harvested normally in September and October. This is the reason cranberries are used in many Thanksgiving and holiday season recipes, as they tend to be most available and fresh through the late fall and early winter.
When choosing the best cranberries, look for fresh, plump ones that are a deep red color. They should be firm to the touch; the firmness is an indicator of quality.
Deep red ones have a higher concentrate of the beneficial anthocyanin compounds. Cranberries can be found in 12-ounce packages, or they can be bought fresh and stored in a container.
Dried cranberries are easy to find in any grocery store; look in the dried fruit or nuts section. Cranberries can be kept in the refrigerator for about 20 days, and they can be kept frozen for several years.
You can refrigerate them for up to two months, or you can freeze them for later use. Looking for frozen cranberries in grocery stores is a great idea, because frequently you will be able to find them at less expensive prices and even in organic varieties.
Cranberries can be eaten raw, fully cooked or in dried form. The health benefits of cranberries seem to be present most in raw form, but any way of eating whole cranberries will usually still provide great benefits, assuming they are not overly processed and mixed with loads of sugar, which they tend to be when used in commercially sold goods.
Frequently, cranberries are sadly processed into products, such as juices, canned sauces, and sugary jams and sweetened dried cranberries, which kills many of their nutrients and also contributes a lot of refined sugar to someone’s diet. It’s a much healthier idea to cook your own cranberries from scratch if you can, so you are able to ensure you are getting the most nutrients possible and to avoid an excess of sugar.
Other facts
Juice of the fruit is used to clean silver.
Red dye is obtained from the fruit.
Plants can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 1 meter apart each way.
Plants quickly form a dense carpet when they are thriving.
Cranberries are a popular and healthful food, associated with Thanksgiving.
Cranberries retain their maximum amount of nutrients and maximum taste when eaten fresh. Cooking destroys their nutritional properties.
Unsweetened cranberry juice tastes slightly sour, but for medicinal purposes, this juice is the best. You can dilute 2 ounces of cranberry juice with 8 ounces of water.
Cranberries are approximately 90% water.
Cranberries can be used as fabric dyes.
Only about 5% of cranberries are sold fresh while the rest are turned into cranberry juice, sauce, etc.
November 22 is National Cranberry Relish Day.
Americans consume 400 million pounds of cranberries each year. 20 percent are eaten during Thanksgiving week.
There are approximately 333 cranberries in a pound, 3,333 cranberries in one gallon of juice, 33,333 cranberries in a 100-pound barrel.
Cranberries can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one month, or in the freezer for up to nine months.
Flowers last 10 to 12 days and attract bees, main pollinators of this plant.
They are often used dried or in the form of sauces, jams, juices and various cocktails.
Cranberries are also known as bearberries, because bears also like to consume them.
Cranberries were used as a source of red pigment for the coloring of cloth, rugs and blankets in the past.
Native Americans used poultices made of cranberries to eliminate poison from the wound inflicted with poison arrows.
Consumption of cranberries turns urine acidic.
Cranberries are occasionally called bounce berries because they bounce when ripe.
Sailors and whalers brought cranberries on board to prevent the development of scurvy.
Wisconsin is the leading cranberry producer.
First cranberry sauce was marketed in 1912.
It takes about 200 cranberries to make one can of cranberry sauce.
Cranberry was made the official state berry of Massachusetts in 1994.
Some cranberry beds are over 100 years old and still producing.
Honeybees are often used to pollinate cranberry crops, and are in fact more valuable in the performance of this task than they are in the production of honey
Place cranberries in processor and blend until finely chopped.
Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add chiles, cilantro, onions, and green onions.
In a small bowl, stir together the sweetener and lime until sugar dissolves completely.
Stir lime juice and pepitas into cranberry mixture and serve.
Refrigerate any leftovers in a covered, airtight container.
2. Apple & cranberry chutney
Ingredients
1kg cooking apples, peeled and chopped into small chunks
500g eating apple, peeled and chopped into large chunks
450g onion, sliced
50g fresh root ginger, finely chopped
1 tsp peppercorns
500g granulated sugar
250ml cider vinegar
500 g cranberry
Method
Place all ingredients except cranberries in a large heavy-based saucepan, then gently heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.
Bring to the boil, then reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 50 mins, stirring regularly until the apples and onions are tender, the mixture has thickened and no watery juice remains.
Add the cranberries, then cook for a further 10 mins or so until just softened but not burst.
Spoon the hot chutney into sterilized jars and seal (see instructions below). Store unopened in a cool, dark place. The chutney will keep for up to 6 months. Chill on opening.
Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Heat 1 tbsp oil and the butter in a frying pan, then add the onion and fry for 5 mins until softened.
Cool slightly. Tip the sausage meat, lemon zest, breadcrumbs, apricots, chestnuts and thyme into a bowl.
Add the onion and cranberries, and mix everything together with your hands, adding plenty of pepper and a little salt.
Cut each chicken breast into three fillets lengthwise and season all over with salt and pepper.
Heat the remaining oil in the frying pan, and fry the chicken fillets quickly until browned, about 6-8 mins.
Roll out two-thirds of the pastry to line a 20-23cm spring form or deep loose-based tart tin.
Press in half the sausage mix and spread to level. Then add the chicken pieces in one layer and cover with the rest of the sausage. Press down lightly.
Roll out the remaining pastry. Brush the edges of the pastry with beaten egg and cover with the pastry lid.
Pinch the edges to seal, then trim. Brush the top of the pie with egg, then roll out the trimmings to make holly leaf shapes and berries. Decorate the pie and brush again with egg.
Set the tin on a baking sheet and bake for 50-60 mins, then cool in the tin for 15 mins. Remove and leave to cool completely. Serve with a winter salad and pickles.
4. Chestnut & cranberry roll
Ingredients
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 Bramley apples, approx. 140/5oz each, peeled
3 x 450g/1lb packs good-quality pork sausage
2 x 200g/7oz packs vacuum-packed chestnuts, roughly chopped
Heat the oil in a large frying pan, then gently fry the onion for 5 mins until softened. Finely chop the apples either by hand or in a food processor.
Squeeze the sausage meat from the sausages into a large bowl, then add all the other ingredients, except the cranberries and streaky bacon.
Season generously, then get your hands in and mix well. Weigh out 450g of the stuffing and mix a handful of the cranberries into it. Use to stuff the neck of the turkey (see ‘Goes well with’).
To assemble, butter and season a large sheet of foil. Stretch out the bacon rashers slightly with the back of a kitchen knife, then overlap 12 rashers on the foil.
Spoon half of the stuffing mix evenly over the bacon, leaving a border of about 3cm.
Scatter with half the cranberries, then pat them in. Tuck the long edges of the bacon over the stuffing; then, using the foil to help, roll the stuffing up into a log shape. Repeat to make a second roll.
Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Put the foil-wrapped rolls onto a roasting tin and roast for 45 mins. Unwrap, draining off any juice, then finish roasting for 15 mins until the bacon is crisp.
5. Lamb & cranberry tagine
Ingredients
1½ kg lamb shoulder, trimmed of excess fat, then cubed
50g shelled pistachios, toasted and roughly chopped, to serve
natural yogurt, handful mint leaves and couscous, to serve
Method
At least 3 hrs. before (or preferably a day), toss the lamb with half the cumin, coriander, sweet and hot paprika in a large bowl. Cover and leave in the fridge to infuse.
Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a large flameproof casserole dish over a high heat and season the spiced lamb well. Working in batches, fry until completely brown, then set aside.
Add more of the oil as you need it and get some deep color on the meat – this will add to the flavor of the tagine.
Once the lamb is browned, pour any remaining oil into the dish, reduce the heat to medium and add the onions, garlic and remaining ground spices.
Cook for 5 mins until softened, then stir in the cinnamon sticks and cardamom pods. Return the lamb to the dish along with the tomatoes, plus 1 /2 a can of water and the honey. Bring to the boil, season, cover with a lid and put in the oven for 2 hrs 15 mins.
Bring the tagine out of the oven, give it a good stir and tip in the cranberries. Return to the oven, with the lid off, for a further 15 mins until the lamb is completely tender.
Taste the tagine for seasoning and remove the cinnamon sticks and cardamom pods. Scatter over the pistachios, yogurt and mint leaves, then serve out of the dish at the table with couscous.
Precautions
Diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disturbances with large amounts.
Seek professional advice if suffering from kidney disease before using.
People, who use the blood-thinning drug, warfarin, or Coumadin, should not suddenly increase their intake of cranberries.
Cranberry products may lead to a higher excretion of oxalate in urine. This could promote the formation of kidney stones.
Avoid high intake of cranberries if you take blood-thinning medicine.
People who have a history of kidney stones must talk to their doctor before including cranberries in their diet as they may increase urinary oxalate levels.
People taking recommended aspirin should avoid consuming excess cranberry juice. People who are allergic to aspirin must avoid cranberries.
