Sunday, July 17, 2011

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.
Crops in Pots
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.

10 comments:

AllThingsYummy said...

Yay, that's exciting to finally see some fruit. I'm going to check out that book. I've been wanting to grow some of my own produce.

Pat said...

That's super! I get excited by things like that too! SO now you have a cranberry baby!

Lynn said...

Congrats! It's always exciting to see something new growing:@)

Martha said...

Congratulations -- I THOUGHT about growing blueberries in pots but haven't done it yet!

agreenearth said...

So exciting to get your first fruit on a plant.

Vanessa Coppa said...

I was one of those people who believed cranberries could only be grown in bogs. Congrats on your cranberry!

Paula@SweetPea said...

I had no idea that you could grow your own cranberries! Too cool!

Thanks for the compliment on my CSI Project mantel. It led me to discovering your blog!

Indrani said...

Fruit of labor... so sweet. :)

The Tablescaper said...

How neat! Thanks for being part of Seasonal Sundays.

- The Tablescaper

Lynn said...

I love this idea!!! I may have to give it a try next year. I've been wanting to grow blueberries and cranberries, but since we are hoping to move in a few years, I was hesitant. A container, we could take with us. Thank you for the idea. I'm going to get that book out of the library and check it all out.