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 ?

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2

I’m partial to chutneys with fowl

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3

Super expensive but available in Paris?

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

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4

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

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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…

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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.

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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.

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9

Red & black currant, maybe?

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.

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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.

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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.