Citrus-Spiced Fresh Cranberry Relish
Elevate your holiday dining experience with my Citrus-Spiced Fresh Cranberry Relish. This vibrant, homemade condiment offers a delightful twist on traditional canned cranberry sauce, bringing a burst of fresh flavors to your Thanksgiving and Christmas tables. Made with fresh cranberries, sweet grapes, and zesty orange, it's a refreshing balance of tartness and sweetness that's perfect for complementing turkey or ham. Enjoy it on sandwiches, too! The food processor makes preparation quick and easy, and you can jar it up to share with loved ones. Give this relish time to chill overnight, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully. Your guests will be asking for the recipe!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
7
Ingredients
Ingredients
Fresh cranberries
12 ounces (Rinsed)
Red seedless grapes
1 cup (Whole)
Crushed pineapple
20 ounces (With juice)
Granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups (N/A)
Whole orange
1 (Cut into 8 sections, rind included)
Cherry gelatin (or raspberry Jell-O)
6 ounces (N/A)
Boiling water
1 1/2 cups (N/A)
Instructions
1
Start by cutting the whole orange into 8 sections, leaving the rind on for added flavor.
2
Place the orange sections into a food processor and pulse until they are finely chopped.
3
Add the rinsed cranberries to the food processor and continue pulsing until they are well broken down but still have some texture.
4
Introduce the red seedless grapes to the mixture and pulse until they blend in completely.
5
Transfer the mixture to a large bowl. Sprinkle in the sugar and stir until everything is well combined and the sugar begins to dissolve.
6
In a separate bowl, pour 1 1/2 cups of boiling water over the cherry gelatin (or raspberry Jell-O). Stir until completely dissolved.
7
Pour the dissolved gelatin mixture into the bowl with the cranberry mixture and stir to combine thoroughly.
8
Add the crushed pineapple along with its juice to the bowl and mix well until evenly distributed.
9
Spoon the relish into a serving bowl or divide it into jars if you plan to give some away. Seal and refrigerate overnight to allow the flavors to develop.
10
This relish can also be frozen for future enjoyment. It keeps well in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Citrus-Spiced Fresh Cranberry Relish?
It is a vibrant, homemade holiday condiment made with fresh cranberries, grapes, orange, and pineapple, offering a refreshing balance of tartness and sweetness.
What are the primary ingredients in this relish?
The main ingredients include fresh cranberries, red seedless grapes, crushed pineapple, granulated sugar, a whole orange, and cherry or raspberry gelatin.
Should I peel the orange before putting it in the food processor?
No, you should leave the rind on the orange sections to provide added citrus flavor and zest to the relish.
What type of grapes should I use for this recipe?
The recipe specifically calls for one cup of whole red seedless grapes.
How do I prepare the cranberries?
The fresh cranberries should be rinsed and then pulsed in a food processor until they are well broken down but still retain some texture.
Do I need to drain the crushed pineapple?
No, you should add the 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple along with its juice to the mixture.
How much sugar is required for the Citrus-Spiced Fresh Cranberry Relish?
The recipe requires 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar.
Can I use raspberry Jell-O instead of cherry gelatin?
Yes, you can use either 6 ounces of cherry gelatin or raspberry Jell-O.
How much boiling water is needed to dissolve the gelatin?
You will need 1 1/2 cups of boiling water to properly dissolve the gelatin.
Is a food processor necessary for this recipe?
A food processor is highly recommended as it makes the preparation of the orange, cranberries, and grapes quick and easy.
What if I do not have a food processor?
If you do not have a food processor, you would need to finely chop the orange, cranberries, and grapes by hand to achieve a similar consistency.
What texture should the fruit have after pulsing?
The fruits should be finely chopped and well-blended but should still have some texture rather than being a complete puree.
How long does the relish need to chill?
The relish should be refrigerated overnight to allow the flavors to meld together beautifully.
How long will the cranberry relish stay fresh in the refrigerator?
This relish keeps well in the refrigerator for up to two weeks when stored in a sealed container.
Can I freeze this cranberry relish?
Yes, the relish can be frozen for future enjoyment.
What dishes pair well with this relish?
It is a perfect complement to holiday favorites like turkey or ham and also works great on sandwiches.
Is this recipe suitable for Thanksgiving and Christmas?
Yes, it is specifically designed as a festive side dish for Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday tables.
Can I give this relish as a gift?
Absolutely! You can divide the relish into jars and seal them to share with friends and family.
Is this recipe vegan-friendly?
The recipe is tagged as vegan, however, standard gelatin is animal-based; you should use a plant-based gelatin substitute if you wish to maintain a vegan diet.
Why does the recipe use a whole orange with the rind?
The rind contains aromatic oils that provide a deep, citrusy spice that balances the tart cranberries.
How many sections should I cut the orange into?
The orange should be cut into 8 sections before being placed in the food processor.
When should I add the sugar to the mixture?
Add the sugar after the orange, cranberries, and grapes have been processed and moved to a large bowl.
Should the gelatin be dissolved in a separate bowl?
Yes, dissolve the gelatin in 1 1/2 cups of boiling water in a separate bowl before mixing it with the fruit.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 7 ingredients in total: cranberries, grapes, pineapple, sugar, orange, gelatin, and boiling water.
Does this relish replace canned cranberry sauce?
Yes, it is intended as a fresh, homemade alternative to traditional canned cranberry sauce.
How do I ensure the sugar dissolves?
Stir the fruit and sugar mixture until the sugar begins to dissolve before adding the liquid gelatin.
What size can of crushed pineapple is used?
A 20-ounce can of crushed pineapple is required for this recipe.
Can I use this as a spread for sandwiches?
Yes, its sweet and tart profile makes it an excellent spread for leftover turkey or ham sandwiches.
Is the preparation of this relish quick?
Yes, using a food processor makes the preparation very fast, though it does require time to set in the fridge.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is cutting the whole orange into 8 sections with the rind still on.