Cranberry Relish Time!

Finding Joy in Simple Things like Cranberry Relish!

Fate is a funny thing; people weave in and out of our lives and sometimes the ones who make the most memorable impact are here for the briefest of moments. I love these simple surprises, like the day I discovered cranberry relish.

A New Neighbor

We had a new neighbor right across the street, who we welcomed on Halloween with pumpkin bread along with kids dressed as Buzz Lightyear and a pirate. Seems kind of un-neighborly to give her warm bread and beg for candy treats in return, but that’s the kind of people we are.

Over the next month she and I visited briefly, exchanging pleasantries usually be the mailbox. Jesse’s husband had passed, they never had children, and her nephew felt she would do better living in town where she would be closer because of her heart problems. As she settled into her new house, we were packing to move to the country.

A Simple Surprise

One week before Thanksgiving, she appeared at my front door with a jar of  brilliant red cranberry relish. I’m honored to have this simple recipe. Her cranberry relish was a dish that she made for well over 60 years for all of their family gatherings. The tart sweetness pairs perfect with turkey and the taste makes me smile.

I hope you’ll be surprised with a few simple pleasures this holiday.

Jesse’s Cranberry Relish

2 pkg cranberries

2 apples

2 oranges

2 & 1/4 cups sugar

a handful of green grapes

a handful of pecans (if you like a more nutty flavor)

Combine all into a blender or food processor; preparing at least a few days before the meal. Jesse’s version was chunkier, but my kids like it close to pureed.  Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator, stirring occasionally. After Thanksgiving, I store the leftovers in the freezer until Christmas dinner.

 Natalie Bright is a blogger, author and speaker. Her fun, historical western TROUBLE IN TEXAS series for middle grades, is a wild west adventure for the entire family, and the RESCUE ANIMAL series features true stories about rescue horses.  Read about Natalie’s grandmother and her cherry salad recipe, selected for “THE WESTERN WRITERS OF AMERICA COOKBOOK: Favorite Recipes, Cooking Tips, and Writing Wisdom” (TwoDot Publishing, June 2017). I you love women’s fiction, her novella is a dark, drama set in Texas 1930’s titled MAGGIE’S BETRAYAL, selected for the anthology, OUR TIME ON ROUTE 66.  Click on the BOOKS tab at the top of the page for more information.