Cranberry Sauce Alternative ?

Cooking Discussions
1

Its that time… I’m in France and getting my Christmas lunch menu together. I can’t get Cranberries here (unless I go imported frozen or canned, and even then !!). I thought its time to change up our meal to make it more local and not stay stuck on traditions that are not available here.

I’m making a Roast Capon served with roast potatoes a few veg, sage and onion bread stuffing and gravy.

Any ideas on how to add a bit of sweet acidity to the meal without cranberry sauce ?

Maybe some kind of Applesauce, fancied up for the holidays ?

2 Likes
2

I’m partial to chutneys with fowl

2 Likes
3

Super expensive but available in Paris?

https://www.lagrandeepicerie.com/en/sauce-aux-canneberges/200077704000.html?srsltid=AfmBOorhjTMAV9Fo4u8buAFbWO0yBVUgWYXQtcJWgJdJt5q4nyHQ6gkt

1 Like
4

Nice idea ! I already have an aubergine (eggplant) chutney I made this summer.

1 Like
5

Alternatively, get someone to post you some from the UK?

Or make a sauce with some other tart berry or fruit you can find locally? Applesauce, as you have suggested, or blackberries or sour cherries?

6

I could get some from the UK but trying to “break” my cranberry habit and find a local solution. Blackberry AND apple might be nice. We do have a traditional cherry jam in the BAsque country here to be served with sheeps milk cheese. Maybe I could add a spoonful to applesauce…

2 Likes
7

Eastern European shops sometimes have unique fruit preserves. I found a plum butter with no added sugar that goes great with all kinds of savoury meat dishes.

2 Likes
8

On this side of La Manche, I can usually get cranberries around this time (and jarred cranberry sauce over a much longer period). Although this year seems to have been a struggle. I tried 3 supermarkets without success but did score some in local greengrocers. At least I can now get on with making my terrine for the festives.

From time to time , I fancy a change of sauce and happily use redcurrant jelly if that’s more available in France. It gives the same sweet/sharp/fruity notes - maybe a tad sweeter than cranberry but I use them pretty much interchangeably.

2 Likes
9

Red & black currant, maybe?

1 Like
10

oh, I think that Basque cherry jam would be wonderful stirred in to applesauce! Lingonberries are Scandinavian, not French, but they are similar to cranberries and may be available in France in jam or relish form.

3 Likes
11

Almost certainly at IKEA if there is a branch nearby. The jam is quite sharp so would work with savoury dishes, maybe needing a splash of lemon to sharpen it up.

2 Likes
12

Yes, Madrid and Harters beat me to it. Should be available as a jam or frozen at Ikea.

The Spruce Eats

13

In lieu of cranberries, I’ve done all of applesauce, pickled cherries, and pickled blueberries. Each worked equally well.

3 Likes
14

Pickled Blueberries !!! I have some local ones in the freezer, will look up a recipe. Great idea !

2 Likes
15

Lots of great ideas here thank you ! My mission is to stay “locally sourced” so I think I’ll play around with a chunky applesauce with maybe some of that great black cherry jam stirred in. If that doesn’t do the job, a homemade chutney. Maybe pumpkin

1 Like
16

Here’s the recipe I used this year, but I’m not sure how well frozen berries would fare here. I used fresh.

4 Likes
17

Answering my own question :sweat_smile: I like the look of this. With the addition of a bit of vinegar and spice, sounds nice

3 Likes
18

For a store-bought alternative available in Europe, Darbo Lingonberry Sauce.

Cumberland Sauce. I like the Delia Smith recipe.

1 Like
19

Me too. But then my generation are big fans of St Delia.

I tweak the recipe which, traditionally, is served cold and, more often, serve a version as hot sauce with, say, ham. Like many traditional foods, its history is opaque - for years I’d assumed it was named after the county two north of mine but other alternatives are available.

1 Like
20

I used to buy fresh cranberries at Grand Frais (along with pecans!) Don’t know if there’s one near you, but worth thr trip.

Also. You can make cranberry sauce with dried cranberries/craisins, which were pretty easy to find. Soak in warm water to plump them up, and off you go. (Adjust the sugar, of course)

2 Likes