Simple Cranberry Relish Recipe Even Children Will Enjoy

Before the Pilgrims landed, cranberries were an important source of food for Native Americans. Sassamanash is the Native American name for cranberry. After the arrival of the Pilgrims, cranberries were used for dyes and poultices and provided an important source of vitamin C for the early American settlers. It is not surprising that cranberries were served at the first Thanksgiving meal.

Today, cranberry relish is a must-have dish at most traditional Thanksgiving meals across America. Many people do not care for basic cranberry sauce and simply pushing cranberry sauce out of its can and sliding it onto a plate can be downright unappetizing! Growing up, this was my favorite Thanksgiving Day treat, made with love by my Nana. It is an easy, basic recipe and the orange adds a nice twist on the traditional cranberry relish.

This recipe is made in an 8 x 8 metal pan. If you would like a larger salad, double the recipe and place in a larger, equivalent pan.

Prepare one small package of Cherry Jell-O, using only ¾ cup of cold water. Add one container of Cranberry-Orange Relish. Ocean Spray makes a Cranberry-Orange Relish that is easily found in the canned fruit section of your store. Finely chop 1 cup of walnuts and add to the cranberry mixture. When the chilled mixture sets, the walnuts rise to the top. Diced apples can be added in addition or as a substitute for the walnuts. Cover and place in the refrigerator to set. When the relish is firmly set, cut into square serving pieces.

To serve, place a leaf of butter lettuce on a plate, followed by a serving of the Cranberry-Orange Relish. My mother prefers to top her relish with a dollop of Marzetti's Slaw Dressing and serve.

If you are not a big fan of regular, plain cranberry sauce or cranberry relish, try this easy to prepare dish to serve at your traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy this simple New England berry dish. Happy Thanksgiving!

Sources:

Personal Experience

http://www.umext.maine.edu/piscataquis/gardening/2003/vol1iss12/cranberry.htm