With their vibrant tart flavor, cranberries are the perfect foil for everything from Thanksgiving's ubiquitous roasted turkey to fall and winter sweets. So this holiday season, why not think beyond the cranberry sauce, and serve up some of these cranberry-inflected specialty foods? From condiments to cookies, we've rounded up a great selection of cranberry products for festive fall and winter dining.
1. Fior di Frutta Cranberry Fruit Organic Spread
This Italian all-fruit spread is sweetened with apple juice, and is entirely organic. The cranberry jam is thick, smooth, and pleasantly tart. Buy online at Italia-gourmet.com. Star-K Kosher. Certified Organic. Price: $8.55/11.64 oz.
2. Nutorious Nut Confections Cranberry Orango Tango
© Studio 44
Nutorious Cranberry Orango Tango is a blend of walnuts, almonds, pecans, and dried cranberries, made special with a delicate glaze of orange confection. Eat it out of hand, sprinkle it over yogurt, mix it into baked goods, or incorporate it into pilafs or salads. Winner of the 2010 sofi™ Gold Award winner for Outstanding Snack Food. Buy online at nutoriousnuts.com. Price: $8.49/8 oz.
3. Mississippi Cheese Straw Factory Cranberry Straws
Image Courtesy of Mississippi Cheese Straw Factory
Not content to rest on the savory laurels of its Southern cheese straws, the Mississippi Cheese Straw Factory also turns out several varieties of delectable cookie straws. The festive Cranberry Cookie Straws marry shortbread with sweet-tart dried cranberries. (FYI, the ingredients are not all-natural, something to keep in mind if those on your gift list prefer to avoid food addititves.) Shop online at mscheesestraws.com. Price: $5/3.5 oz. carton; $8/5.5 oz. carton.
4. Stonewall Kitchen Cranberry Pomegranate Chutney
Image Courtesy of Stonewall Kitchen
Pomegranate juice adds sweet spunk to this chutney, made with apples, cranberries, pears, and figs. Try it with poultry or pork, or add it to a grilled cheddar sandwich. Buy online at stonewallkitchen.com. Price: $5.95/7.75 oz.
5. New England Cranberry Co. Cranberry Mustard
© Howard Tucker
Sweet and piquant, this mustard owes its vermillion hue to the New England cranberries that lend it its unique flavor. Think beyond sandwiches and whisk the mustard into marinades or salad dressings, use it to baste meats, or sub it for cocktail sauce. Pretzel fans take note: this cranberry mustard is great for dipping. Order online at newenglandcranberry.com. Price: $6.50/12 oz.
6. Zingerman's Cranberry Pecan Bread
For those who can't make it to the Michigan foodie destination, Zingerman's renowned mail order will ship artisan breads straight from its eponymous bakeshop. The Cranberry Pecan Bread is a crusty loaf with a dense, chewy crumb, thoroughly studded with dried cranberries and toasted pecans. It's only available during the holidays, so get it while you can. Order an individual loaf, or get it as part of Zingerman's Holiday Bread Box, which includes 4 different breads. Buy online at zingermans.com. Price: $15/1.25-pound loaf; $50 for a 4-loaf holiday sampler.
7. Lesley Stowe Fine Foods Cranberry Hazelnut Raincoast Crisps
Image Courtesy of Lesley Stowe Fine Foods
Perfect for holiday entertaining, Lesley Stowe's Raincoast Crisps are ideal for serving alongside cheese, as an accompaniment to soup or salad, or as a base for hors d'oeuvres. The crunchy Cranberry Hazelnut Crisps are a great bridge for the sweet and savory flavors in holiday menus, thanks to the tart dried fruit and toasted nuts. Buy online at Amazon.com. Price: $7.99/6-oz. package.
8. Cranberry Sweets Original Cranberry Jelly Candies
Image Courtesy of Cranberry Sweets & More/© Clayton Shaw
Since 1974, Cranberry Sweets & More has been turning out gorgeous little pâtes de fruit, made from local Oregon cranberries. The sweet-tart gems are handmade in small batches, and take weeks to produce. Purists will enjoy the plain cranberry jelly candies; the sweets are also available studded with English walnuts — both with and without a cloak of milk chocolate. Buy online at cranberrysweets.com. Price: From $3.50/2 oz. to $16.95/12 oz.