We are Lucille's Kitchen Garden

Local produce in the winter in Minnesota can be a bit of a trick. Our weather is not exactly favorable for a winter growing season. Just over the border, however in Wisconsin we have the nations leading growers of cranberries. They produce over 300million pounds of cranberries annually. Cranberries are harvested from mid September through November so we all have ample opportunity to take advantage of fresh cranberry sauce during the holiday season. There are a number of places to order organic cranberries online and you can also ask your local grocer. Unfortunately with MA and WI as the main producers, it seems that most packaging states that the cranberries can be from either. This can be a problem since the number of food miles is very different from WI then it is from MA. However, most grocery stores carry an organic brand around this time of year. The following is our favorite recipe for fresh cranberry sauce with a little kick. You can add orange peel, nuts, or rum if you like, but this recipe is so easy that there are no excuses for canned sauce on your holiday table, unless of course you just like slicing the jellied version!

Enjoy a local feast this holiday season and visit our website to see more great recipes!!!

Fresh Cranberry Sauce
Ingredients:
1 cup Sugar
1 cup water
1 (12 oz) fresh cranberries
1 jar Lucille’s Kitchen Garden Green Pepper Jelly
Preparation:
In heavy saucepan over medium heat mix sugar and water. Stir to dissolve sugar.
Bring to a boil and add cranberries, return to boil, then reduce heat.
Boil gently, stirring occasionally for 10 minutes.
Remove from heat, add Green Pepper Jelly and cool completely.