Fresh Cranberries
You can buy fresh raw cranberries in the produce section of your grocery store. They'll keep well in the refrigerator or you can freeze them for longer storage. Cranberries can be used in dessert recipes or in savory dishes. Cook cranberries in a small amount of water, they're done when they pop.
Dried Cranberries
If you like raisins, you might like sweetened dried cranberries. Use them in recipes that call for raisins or eat them alone or with a handful of nuts as a snack.
Cranberry Juice
Just like raw cranberries, 100% cranberry juice is very tart, but you can blend cranberry juice with a little apple or grape juice for added sweetness. When you buy cranberry juice in the grocery store, be sure to read the label. Choose cranberry beverages sweetened with other juices, which also have nutritional value, rather than those with added sugar or high fructose corn syrup that don't add any nutrients beyond calories.
Nutrition Information
One cup of whole cranberries contains 4.6 grams fiber, 85 milligrams potassium, 13 milligrams vitamin C and some additional phytochemicals. One cup of unsweetened whole cranberries has about 45 calories.
Cranberry Serving Ideas
- Sprinkle dried cranberries on a fresh salad.
- Make your own trail mix with almonds, walnuts, your favorite dried cereal, raisins and dried cranberries.
- Blend cranberry juice and some grape juice with sparkling water.
- Couscous Salad with Dried Cranberries and Pecans
- Cranberry Stuffed Acorn Squash
- Venison with Cranberries
- Cranberry Apple Sauce
Source:
United States Department of Agriculture National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. "Cranberries, Raw." Accessed April 14, 2011. http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/search/
