Homemade Cranberry Sauce with Satsuma Zest

I mentioned last year that I’m in charge of cranberry sauce for my family’s Thanksgiving meal.  My dad always wants the cranberry jelly in a can, but my mom, grandmother and I love real cranberry sauce.  Each year I sit back and smile as all the ladies at the table sing out “Pass the cranberry sauce!!!”  Last year was the first time I used satsumas instead of large navel oranges.  I loved the flavor and the fact that it’s using produce that’s in season.

This year I used the zest of the satsumas, but orange juice because I had some in the fridge and like how pulpy it is.  I also added a little bit of sugar.  I don’t know if the cranberries were more tart this year but when I tasted the sauce it needed some sweetness.  Sometimes I’m able to make it without adding sugar.

The other change I made this year was increasing the amount of nutmeg and cloves, it really upped the flavor factor.  I think I’m finally happy with the recipe and will try making it exactly the same way next year.  It makes enough for a 10 person holiday dinner, but I make the same amount even for two of us.  Then we have leftovers to make sandwiches and other fun treats.  What’s your favorite way to use leftover cranberry sauce?

Cranberry Sauce with Satsuma Zest

Ingredients

1 1/2 – 2 lbs fresh cranberries (depending on how chunky you like it)
1 cup cranberry apple juice
1 cup orange juice
zest of 2 satsumas
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/2 tsp ground cloves
1/4-1/3 cup sugar

Instructions

Dump washed cranberries into a large pot. Pour cran-apple juice and orange juice into the pot. Turn heat to med-high. Add satsuma zest, spices, and sugar.

Bring to a boil, it will begin to foam and bubble over so stir and turn it down a little. Keep simmering for 10 minutes. Mix and mash with a large spoon. It’s best served cold or at room temperature, but warm works too.

Approximate cost/serving: A 3 lb bag of cranberries was $3.50 at Sam’s Club.  The whole batch costs only $2 make, at 10 servings that’s only 20 cents a serving!

Vegetarian/Gluten Free: Yes on both counts!