Festive Fresh Blueberry Cranberry Relish: A Burst of Holiday Flavor

This festive fresh blueberry cranberry relish is a vibrant and flavorful addition to any holiday table. It combines the tartness of cranberries with the sweetness of blueberries, creating a perfectly balanced relish that’s both refreshing and delicious. Unlike traditional cranberry sauce that’s often cooked and heavily sweetened, this relish is made with fresh ingredients, allowing the natural flavors to shine through. It’s quick to prepare, requires no cooking, and adds a burst of color and brightness to your holiday meal.

## Why You’ll Love This Relish

* **Fresh and Vibrant Flavors:** The combination of fresh cranberries, blueberries, orange, and lemon creates a bright and zesty flavor profile that’s perfect for the holidays.
* **No Cooking Required:** This relish is incredibly easy to make and requires no cooking, making it a great option for busy holiday cooks.
* **Versatile:** It pairs well with roasted turkey, chicken, pork, and even grilled fish. It’s also delicious served with cheese and crackers or as a topping for yogurt or ice cream.
* **Beautiful Presentation:** The vibrant colors of the cranberries and blueberries make this relish a visually stunning addition to your holiday table.
* **Healthy and Nutritious:** Cranberries and blueberries are packed with antioxidants and vitamins, making this relish a healthy and delicious way to add some extra nutrients to your holiday meal.
* **Make-Ahead Friendly:** This relish can be made a day or two in advance, allowing the flavors to meld together and making it even more flavorful.

## Ingredients You’ll Need

* **Fresh Cranberries:** Use fresh, firm cranberries for the best flavor and texture. Frozen cranberries can also be used, but be sure to thaw them completely and drain any excess liquid before using.
* **Fresh Blueberries:** Fresh blueberries add a touch of sweetness and a beautiful color to the relish. Look for plump, juicy blueberries that are free from blemishes.
* **Orange:** Use a whole orange, including the zest and juice, for a bright and citrusy flavor. Choose an orange that is firm and heavy for its size.
* **Lemon:** A little lemon zest and juice adds a touch of tartness and helps to balance the sweetness of the blueberries and orange.
* **Sugar:** Granulated sugar or brown sugar can be used to sweeten the relish. Adjust the amount of sugar to your liking, depending on how sweet you prefer your relish.
* **Walnuts or Pecans (Optional):** Chopped walnuts or pecans add a nice crunch and nutty flavor to the relish. These are completely optional, so feel free to omit them if you prefer.
* **Ginger (Optional):** A small amount of freshly grated ginger adds a warm and spicy note to the relish. Use sparingly, as ginger can be quite strong.
* **Mint (Optional):** Chopped fresh mint adds a refreshing and aromatic touch to the relish.

## Equipment You’ll Need

* **Food Processor or Blender:** A food processor or blender is essential for chopping the cranberries and blueberries into a fine consistency. If you don’t have a food processor or blender, you can chop the cranberries and blueberries by hand, but it will take a bit longer.
* **Zester:** A zester is used to remove the zest from the orange and lemon. If you don’t have a zester, you can use a vegetable peeler to remove thin strips of zest and then chop them finely.
* **Citrus Juicer:** A citrus juicer is used to extract the juice from the orange and lemon. If you don’t have a citrus juicer, you can squeeze the juice by hand.
* **Mixing Bowl:** A mixing bowl is used to combine all of the ingredients together.
* **Spoon or Spatula:** A spoon or spatula is used to stir the ingredients together.
* **Airtight Container:** An airtight container is used to store the relish in the refrigerator.

## Step-by-Step Instructions

Here’s a detailed guide to making this delicious festive fresh blueberry cranberry relish:

**Step 1: Prepare the Cranberries**

* Rinse the fresh cranberries under cold water and pick out any that are soft or discolored.
* Place the cranberries in a food processor or blender.
* Pulse the cranberries until they are coarsely chopped. Be careful not to over-process them into a puree. You want them to have some texture.
* Transfer the chopped cranberries to a mixing bowl.

**Step 2: Prepare the Blueberries**

* Rinse the fresh blueberries under cold water and pick out any that are soft or discolored.
* Add the blueberries to the food processor or blender (no need to clean it after the cranberries).
* Pulse the blueberries until they are coarsely chopped. Again, be careful not to over-process them.
* Add the chopped blueberries to the mixing bowl with the cranberries.

**Step 3: Prepare the Orange and Lemon**

* Wash the orange and lemon thoroughly.
* Zest the orange and lemon using a zester. Add the zest to the mixing bowl.
* Cut the orange and lemon in half and juice them using a citrus juicer. Add the juice to the mixing bowl.

**Step 4: Add the Sugar and Optional Ingredients**

* Add the sugar to the mixing bowl.
* If using, add the chopped walnuts or pecans, grated ginger, and chopped mint to the mixing bowl.

**Step 5: Mix Everything Together**

* Use a spoon or spatula to stir all of the ingredients together until well combined.
* Taste the relish and adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more sugar if needed.

**Step 6: Chill the Relish**

* Transfer the relish to an airtight container.
* Refrigerate the relish for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together.

**Step 7: Serve and Enjoy**

* Serve the relish chilled as a side dish with your favorite holiday meal.
* Enjoy!

## Tips and Variations

* **Adjust the Sweetness:** The amount of sugar in this recipe can be adjusted to your liking. If you prefer a tarter relish, use less sugar. If you prefer a sweeter relish, use more sugar. You can also substitute other sweeteners, such as honey or maple syrup, for the sugar.
* **Add Some Heat:** For a spicy kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a small amount of finely chopped jalapeno pepper to the relish.
* **Use Different Nuts:** Instead of walnuts or pecans, try using almonds, pistachios, or macadamia nuts.
* **Add Dried Fruit:** For a chewier texture and added sweetness, add some dried cranberries, raisins, or chopped dried apricots to the relish.
* **Make it Vegan:** This recipe is naturally vegan. Just ensure that the sugar you use is vegan-friendly (some sugars are processed with bone char).
* **Add Other Fruits:** Try adding other fruits like pomegranate seeds, chopped apples, or grapes to the relish for a different flavor profile.
* **For a Smoother Texture:** If you prefer a smoother texture, you can process the relish for a longer time in the food processor, but be careful not to over-process it into a puree.
* **Infuse with Spices:** Add a pinch of ground cinnamon, nutmeg, or cloves to the relish for a warm and festive flavor.

## Serving Suggestions

This festive fresh blueberry cranberry relish is incredibly versatile and can be served in a variety of ways:

* **With Roasted Meats:** The classic pairing for cranberry relish is with roasted turkey, chicken, or pork. The tartness of the relish complements the richness of the meat perfectly.
* **With Grilled Fish:** Surprisingly, this relish also pairs well with grilled fish, such as salmon or tuna. The bright flavors of the relish help to cut through the richness of the fish.
* **As a Condiment:** Serve it as a condiment with sandwiches, wraps, or burgers for a burst of flavor.
* **With Cheese and Crackers:** This relish is a delicious addition to a cheese and cracker board. Pair it with soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese for a delightful combination.
* **As a Topping:** Use it as a topping for yogurt, ice cream, or oatmeal for a healthy and flavorful breakfast or dessert.
* **In Baking:** Add it to muffins, scones, or quick breads for a festive twist.
* **With Stuffing:** Add a scoop of this relish to your stuffing recipe for added flavor and moisture.

## Make-Ahead Instructions

This relish is best made ahead of time to allow the flavors to meld together. You can make it up to 2 days in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The flavors will actually improve as it sits.

## Storage Instructions

Store leftover relish in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The relish may become slightly more watery as it sits, but this will not affect the flavor.

## Nutritional Information (Approximate)

* Calories: Approximately 50-70 per serving (depending on the amount of sugar used)
* Fat: 0-2 grams per serving (depending on whether nuts are used)
* Carbohydrates: 10-15 grams per serving
* Protein: 0-1 gram per serving

## Festive Fresh Blueberry Cranberry Relish Recipe

**Yields:** About 4 cups
**Prep Time:** 15 minutes
**Chill Time:** 2 hours (or overnight)

**Ingredients:**

* 12 ounces fresh cranberries
* 1 cup fresh blueberries
* 1 orange, zested and juiced
* 1 lemon, zested and juiced
* 1/2 cup granulated sugar (or more to taste)
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)
* 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (optional)
* 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint (optional)

**Instructions:**

1. Rinse the cranberries and blueberries under cold water and pick out any that are soft or discolored.
2. Place the cranberries in a food processor or blender and pulse until coarsely chopped. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
3. Add the blueberries to the food processor or blender and pulse until coarsely chopped. Add to the mixing bowl with the cranberries.
4. Wash the orange and lemon thoroughly. Zest and juice them. Add the zest and juice to the mixing bowl.
5. Add the sugar to the mixing bowl. If using, add the chopped walnuts or pecans, grated ginger, and chopped mint.
6. Stir all of the ingredients together until well combined.
7. Taste the relish and adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more sugar if needed.
8. Transfer the relish to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld together.
9. Serve chilled as a side dish with your favorite holiday meal.

Enjoy this vibrant and flavorful festive fresh blueberry cranberry relish! It’s the perfect addition to your holiday celebrations and beyond. The combination of fresh ingredients and easy preparation makes it a winner every time. Happy cooking and happy holidays!