Nanctucket cranberries and a recipe.

When you pick up that bag of cranberries in the grocery store, do you ever wonder how and where cranberries are processed?  A trip to Nantucket this time of year allows you a glimpse at what really happens at the bog.  Windswept Cranberry Bog is a small operation compared to much larger ones on the mainland in Massachusetts and other states.  It's fascinating to watch.

 Once the bog is flooded, the cranberries are "corralled" into one location where they can be vacuumed up.

 Windswept Cranberry Bog is owned by the Nantucket Conservation Foundation.

 Windswept consists of approximately 37 acres of organically grown cranberries.

 You can find Windswept cranberries at local island grocery stores.  If you live elsewhere, check with your local market to see if they carry a cranberry farmed closer to your home.

 Raking the cranberries is a peaceful production to watch.

 When we left the bog, we went directly to Bartlett's Farm and bought some of these wonderful cranberries!

  After chopping approximately 1 cup of cranberries, either by hand or in a food processor, mix with 1/2 a cup of slivered almonds.  Spread mixture on a small wheel of Brie.  Pour 1/2 a cup of honey on top and bake at 350 degrees until the cheese turns a golden brown.  While the cheese is in the oven, slice bread and apples to serve with the cranberry cheese mixture.  You may enjoy crackers and other fruit as well.

 

It makes a mouth-watering appetizer or a meal in itself!

You may wish to visit these websites for more information on cranberries:

Cape Cod Cranberry Association

Wisconsin State Cranberry Growers Association

American Cranberry Growers Association