Cranberries!

Brace yourselves, people, I have a cranberry!  Three years ago when I first began to container garden, I planted blueberries in a 24" wide container.  Guided by the book Crops in Pots, I underplanted with three cranberry plants due to the similar needs of the two.  I suppose, like most people, I thought cranberries needed to be grown in bogs.  Not so, I found out.  The bogs are only for the ease of harvest, they are perfectly adaptable to the home garden and thrive in containers.  Year after year I'd have plenty of blueberries, but despite healthy, trailing plants, not a cranberry in sight.  Today while weeding, I spotted my first one!  Too early to break out the cranberry relish recipe, but hope springs eternal and all that.  Here's the recipe anyway just so everyone can plan ahead.

Spicy Cranberry Relish

1 cup sugar

1 medium yellow onion, finely chopped

6 whole cloves

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

2 whole cardamom seeds, crushed

1 pinch cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1/2 teaspoon Kosher salt

1/4 cup cider vinegar

2 cups fresh cranberries

1 cup golden raisins

1/3 cup light brown sugar

1 cup water

Combine all ingredients in large soup kettle.  Bring to a boil.

Lower heat and simmer 45 minutes.  Serve chilled.

This post is linked to: 
Seasonal Sunday, Metamorphosis Monday, Garden Tuesday, This Week in My Garden, Tuesday Garden Party and Outdoor Wednesdays