Cranberries are tart and sour when crushed, but when properly prepared or skillfully combined, e.g. with mango, they delight. Although until recently we associated them only with medicine, and our ancestors also associated them with lemon for the poor, cranberries are gaining more and more fans. Not only in the form of jam for meat and cheese. They have been known in Europe and North America for thousands of years. Even though we had a native variety on the Old Continent, only the American variety imported after 1820 gained popularity in Europe. In Poland, the most popular variety comes from overseas, but the lingonberry is becoming more and more popular.
Cranberries in a jar are better than from the store. A simple way to make delicious jam
Most of the year, we can find dried fruit or fruit in the form of jam in stores. We add dried ones to salads, cookies, stuff apples and bake homemade bars. We can also add some to a compote or make a jelly out of them. It is also worth preparing both the jelly and the compote from fresh fruit, which appears in stores in November. You can prepare homemade jam from them. Heat the fruit with a little water and butter, add honey and spices (cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, cloves). Fry until you get the consistency you like. We can season everything with chili pepper. Cranberries perfectly complement the taste of spicy and sweet dishes. Goes well with meat, fish and vegetables. We can also prepare a sauce from it, combined with mustard or horseradish. Fresh fruit is perfect for winter meringue with mascarpone cream. Just add a few sour, red balls to the cream to balance the sweet taste.
Cranberries are good for health. What properties does it have?
Cranberries are an ally in the fight against urinary tract diseases, but not only. These inconspicuous berries contain vitamin C that strengthens the immune system. Additionally: vitamin E (anti-cancer effect, when used regularly it delays the effects of aging), vitamin K (responsible for proper blood clotting), phytonutrients (prevents urinary tract infections), manganese (antioxidant effect), copper (ensures proper growth and development of the body), polyphenols (reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, lower blood pressure, help alleviate inflammation). Fresh cranberries consist mainly of water and are low-calorie – 100 g of fruit has about 46 kcal. Jam has much more calories, especially the ready-made ones bought in stores. A much better solution is to prepare it yourself. Then he can control the amount of sweeteners.
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