Orange Cranberry Chutney

One of my favorite things about Thanksgiving is homemade orange cranberry chutney along side of a roasted turkey. If you are still eating jellied cranberry sauce, shame on you! Freshly made, chunky cranberry chutney is fast and easy to make yourself and once you try it, you won't go back to that glob from a tin can.

Fresh cranberries are in season now, so they are very easy to find and not expensive. To make 2 cups of this traditional accoutrement with a twist, start with 3 cups of whole berries in a saucepan. Add 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water and the zest of one orange. Simmer on low until the cranberries pop open and become juicy, about 5-10 minutes. Let the mixture cool and then chill before serving. Sometimes I like to add chopped walnuts for a crunch.

This chutney is a perfect accompaniment to not only turkey but is also great with baked chicken and ham. Try it yourself this Thanksgiving day and see if you start your own love affair with homemade cranberry chutney.