Cranberry Medicine #2 :: Spiced Cranberry Rose Hip Relish

Our 40+ Year Old Family Cranberry Relish Recipe

It's that season again and years since I shared anything cranberry. Please see THIS ARTICLE I wrote in 2017 for all the details on how cranberry heals medicinally.

I share another old family recipe that recieves repeated rave reviews from our table every year. It was created by one of my aunties back in the 1970s and has evolved through my kitchen infused with my love of herbalism and the medicinal spices I've experimented with over the years. 

We eat with roasted meats, mixed with mayo for spiced-up sandwhiches, added to yogurt with seeded granolas we make, served with fish, as a condiment with home made Indian food meals (I sometimes add cayenne powder for this), add a dollop with desserts, and straight off the spoon. Delicious. This makes an easy, great last minute gift. And it's quite simple to make too.

​Enjoy! Much Love, Jen

THE RECIPE: Jen's Spiced Cranberry Rose Hip Relish

INGREDIENTS

• 1 bag fresh cranberries 12-16oz bag
• 1 cup organic sugar or sweetener of choice - if using honey, rice or maple syrup then reduce to 2/3 cup or it could become too watery. 
• 1 cup orange juice
• 3 tablespoons dried, de-seeded rose hips (elderberries work too!)
• 1 small 8oz. jar good orange marmalade ("good" meaning no GMO corn fructose, organic)
• 1 cup chopped nuts of choice (pecans are our favorite)
• 1-2 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg powder
• 1/4 teaspoon clove powder
• pinch of salt and black pepper
• optional: 1/8 -1/4 teaspoon cayenne powder for a little kick

DIRECTIONS

1. Add all ingredients except the chopped nuts to a pot and gently bring to a soft simmer while stirring occasionally.

2. Use the back of a spoon or potato masher to mash up the softened cranberries. We like it chunky but you could use an immersion blender and omit the nuts for a smooth relish. 

3. Cook for 10-15 minutes until it looks jelly-like in consistency. It will thicken more once it cools.

4. Stir in the chopped nuts. Remove from the heat. Taste. Adjust flavors to your liking if needed. Cover and allow to return to room temperature.

5. Spoon into clean jars. Keeps for 4-6 weeks refrigerated. 


Of course it takes amazing but this also supports kidney and adrenal health, heart and circulation health, as well as abundant spices to support the gut and immunity. Enjoy!