I never liked cranberry sauce growing up. Maybe because the only kind I ever tried was from a can? Splat into a bowl, in the shape of a can. Yuck! Anyway, I am a huge Barefoot Contessa fan. Now, she doesn’t always have the healthiest of recipes, but they are always scrumptious and can be altered to a slightly healthier version. Nonetheless, I make her Cranberry Conserve EVERY Thanksgiving and Christmas. Honestly, it is the perfect combination of zest and sweet and sour flavors. Makes your taste buds do the Carlton Dance. Seriously, I cannot express how delicious this is!
Barefoot Contessa’s Cranberry Conserve
1 12-ounce bag of fresh cranberries, cleaned
1 3/4 cups sugar (I only use about 1- 1 1/4 cups)
1 Granny Smith Apple peeled, cored and chopped
1 Orange zest grated and juiced
1 Lemon zest grated and juiced
3/4 cups raisins
3/4 cups chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
Cook the cranberries, sugar, and 1 cup of water in a saucepan over low heat for about 5 minutes, or until the skins pop open. Add the apple, zests, and juices and cook for 15 more minutes. Remove from the heat and add the raisins and nuts. Let cool, and serve chilled. Yields about 4 cups.