Truly Homemade Cranberry Sauce

Eating fruit sauces with rich, heavy meats is a tradition brought over from the Scandinavian, Germanic and Anglo countries. The Native Americans also mixed their fruits and meats together in the famous early power food blend of pemmican. So, why break with tradition?
Now, I am of the personal opinion that homemade cranberry sauce is better than the gelatinous version that comes in a can and always plops out on the plate to jiggle in crimson glory until it is cut into slices. It puts me in mind of the character, Mrs. Dowdel, in the children’s book, A Season of Gifts, and her opinion of cranberry sauce,

“Also, she thought very little of cranberry sauce in a can. “I wouldn’t slop hogs with it. You can taste the can.” A cauldron of bubbling, popping cranberries and orange peel seethed on her stove top, spiced with cinnamon sticks. As soon as school was over every afternoon, Ruth Ann stood on a kitchen chair and stirred.”

Now, don’t get me wrong. I don’t feel quite as disgusted by it as Mrs. Dowdel does. I have had my fair share of canned cranberry sauce. But that was before I knew how delicious and downright easy it is to make the homemade version. And it makes the house smell like Thanksgiving besides.
The first mention of cranberry sauce in America was in Amelia Simmons’ cookbook, American Cookery. Amelia Simmons wrote and published the first American cookbook in 1796 not long after Colonial America became its own country. Her version is very simple and listed under the “Tarts” section of her cookbook. The recipe reads as follows:

Cranberries.

Stewed, strained and sweetened, put into paste No. 9, add spices till grateful, and baked gently.

Needless to say, this was before standard recipes. Back when you were simply suppose to know how to make a tart and stew, strain and sweeten cranberries thanks to your mother or grandmother who taught you. 🙂
The history of cranberry sauce after this original recipe in Amelia’s cookbook is fairly straightforward, though it was not widely served at Thanksgiving until the Civil War. General Ulysses S. Grant had it served to his troops for the first time as part of their Thanksgiving dinner.
There are scores of wonderful recipes for homemade cranberry sauce out there. This is my mother’s recipe which I love and find quite unique as she adds not only orange peel, but sweetens the sauce entirely with honey! Very tasty!