Description
This Cranberry Orange Relish is a vibrant, fresh, and tangy condiment made with cranberries, orange, apple, and toasted nuts, sweetened with honey and enhanced with a splash of orange liqueur. Perfect for holiday tables or as a zesty accompaniment to poultry and other dishes, this relish blends crunchy texture with refreshing fruit flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Nuts
- ½ cup shelled walnuts or pecans
Fruit and Sweeteners
- 12 ounces fresh cranberries
- 1 medium navel orange, skin included, scrubbed, and cut into chunks
- 1 medium sweet crisp apple (Honeycrisp, Fuji, or Gala), washed with peel on, cut into chunks
- ⅓ cup honey (choose a mild honey such as clover)
Optional
- 1 tablespoon orange liqueur such as Grand Marnier
Instructions
- Toast the nuts: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the walnuts or pecans evenly on an ungreased rimmed baking sheet. Bake them for 8 to 12 minutes until they become lightly toasted and fragrant. Keep a close eye towards the end to prevent burning. Once toasted, transfer the nuts to a plate and allow them to cool completely. Refrigerate if you’d like to speed up cooling.
- Process the fruit: Place the fresh cranberries, orange chunks (including peel), and apple pieces into the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Pulse the mixture alternating between long and short pulses until it forms a uniform, finely chopped mixture with a crunchy texture, ensuring even processing.
- Add the nuts: Add the cooled toasted walnuts or pecans to the fruit mixture in the food processor. Pulse a few times until the nuts are roughly chopped and incorporated.
- Combine and chill: Transfer the cranberry-fruit-nut mixture to a serving bowl. Stir in the honey and orange liqueur (if using) until well combined. Cover and chill for at least 2 hours or preferably overnight to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature as a delicious relish.
Notes
- Use a mild honey like clover for balanced sweetness without overpowering the fruit flavors.
- Including the orange peel adds a pleasant citrusy bitterness and aroma; ensure the orange is washed thoroughly.
- For a nut-free version, omit the walnuts or pecans and add an extra apple for texture.
- Orange liqueur is optional but adds depth and a subtle boozy brightness.
- This relish can be made a day ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
- Use fresh, firm cranberries for the best texture contrast.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/9 of recipe (~60 grams)
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 1mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 1.5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
