Cranberry Craze!!!

Cranberry Creations!

It’s that time of year guys! Its cranberry season and I must say, I am very thankful for this wonderful fruit. Did you know cranberries are one of three fruit that are native to North America?

As a New Jersey resident I am proud to say, NJ is currently the 3^rd largest cranberry producing area in the US following Massachusetts and Wisconsin.

The majority of cranberry harvest in New Jersey takes place in October. If you have never been to a harvest-it is definitely worth checking out!!

Now let’s discuss why cranberries are so nutritious. Cranberries contain nature’s most powerful antioxidant, proanthocyanidins Type A (PACs). This compound has antioxidant and anti-adhesion properties which have been shown to help fight certain harmful bacterial in the body including the cardiovascular system and for many parts of the digestive tract (including the mouth and gums, stomach, and colon).

Many people associate cranberries with urinary tract infection prevention. Cranberries contain more antioxidants than many commonly consumed fruit.

A review of several different research articles showed that cranberries and cranberry supplements benefit in reducing and preventing UTI’s is inconclusive. This doesn’t mean they are not beneficial-only that more research needs to be done to come to a stronger conclusion of cranberries and their protective effects on urinary tract infections.  Cranberries are definitely good in preventing bacterial buildup in your tract however it may not be as helpful once the infection has already started. 

Cranberries have 35 calories per half cup, they are a good source of fiber and manganese, vitamin C and Vitamin E.

The bottom line? Cranberries in their whole form will provide you with wonderful vitamins, minerals, fiber and antioxidants. Consuming cranberries in their whole form cannot really hurt you so go ahead and enjoy your cranberries this season. If you are looking to consume cranberry daily for prevention and prophylaxis I would suggest either taking 300-400mg of cranberry extract daily or drinking at least one 8 oz. serving of cranberry juice (concentrated organic kind) daily.

Some recipes to try out over the holiday season. ENJOY!!

 

Cranberry Bruschetta

1 bag of fresh or frozen cranberries

¹⁄₄ cup sugar

¹⁄₄ cup red wine vinegar

¹⁄₂ red onion, thinly sliced into rings

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 tablespoons minced fresh basil

1 teaspoon oregano

1 loaf French bread and Olive oil for brushing bread

DIRECTIONS

1)    Combine Cranberries, sugar, red wine in medium saucepan. Bring to a boil. Add onion and garlic and simmer for 10 minutes or until cranberries pop.

2)    Pout into glass bowl. Add basil and oregano and then cool to room temperature.

3)    Cut bread into ½ inch slices. Brush bread on both sides with olive oil. Broil for 1-2 minutes or until golden brown. Top with cranberry mixture.

Cranberry Raisin Apple Crisp

1/2 cup old fashioned oats

½ cup flour

½ cup brown sugar

5 tablespoon cold butter cut into pieces

12 ounce pack cranberries

2 large Golden delicious apples (cut into ½ inch pieces)

½ cup raisins

¾ cups sugar

Orange peel to taste

Juice from one fresh orange and Cinnamon to taste!!

DIRECTIONS

1)    Heat oven to 375. In medium bowl, combine oats, flour and sugar. Add butter in mixture until forms a crumble like consistency.

2)    In another bowl, combine, cranberries, apples, raisins, sugar, flour, orange juice and zest and cinnamon. Transfer this mixture into a soufflé dish.

3)    Top the fruit with the butter crumble mixture and bake for about 45 minutes or until top is browned just a tad.