Thanksgiving is just a week away, so we're rolling out a classic feature on cranberries!
Red Beauties in Lake Magazine's 2006 Holiday Issue is an engaging look at cranberry farming in Michigan. Although Michigan only has a small number of cranberry farms in the northeast, Upper Peninsula, and the southwestern corner of the state along Lake Michigan totaling about 250 acres - compared to more than 18,000 acres in nation-leading Wisconsin - the state does have all the requirements to grow a cranberry industry. The feature also provides a look at what's involved in cranberry farming, and I have to say I learned a thing or two!
For more about the official fruit of Thanksgiving, you can go to the Cranberry Institute, which features tons of information about the purported health benefits of cranberries. Although it's probably not what you'll put on your table next Thursday, Locavorious has a tasty Michigan Cranberries in Cranberry Apple Pork Loin Roast along with some information about Michigan cranberry farms. You can get a nice recipe for cranberry pie from Michigan-based Kitchen Chick. Michigan's leading producer is Centennial Cranberry Farm way up on Whitefish Point (near Paradise, MI), and their site is loaded with cranberry information & recipes. In closing, here's a simple recipe that you can make with 100% Michigan ingredients. We'll try out in the Absolute Michigan kitchen next week and report back!
Baked Cranberry Acorn Squash
4 small acorn squash
1 cup chopped apple
1 cup fresh cranberries, chopped
1/4 cup Michigan maple syrup
2 Tablespoons butter or margarine, meltedCut squash in half lengthwise; remove seeds. Place cut side down in a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan. Bake in 350 degree oven for 35 minutes. Turn cut side up. Combine remaining ingredients; fill squash with fruit mixture. Continue baking for 25 minutes or till squash is tender. Makes 8 servings.
5 Comments
Michigan Department of Agriculture's Cranberries in Michigan page has moved to:
http://www.michigan.gov/mda/0,1607,7-125-1570_2468_2469---,00.html
Scroll to the bottom of the page.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I've been asking my grocery store produce manager for Michigan fresh and dried cranberries and he tells me there wasn't much of a crop this year. Is this true? If not, how do you suggest I approach my store to pursue more Michigan products?
Mary P Eckart
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
I don't know about the harvest this year, but I think that one of the best ways to convince people to carry local products is to point out how the dollars for those stay in the community.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
This may sound like a silly question but as a resident of Michigan who is interested in cranberry farming, how does one get started? Any ideas books, websites or people I should look into? Thanks a bunch.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Hi Tiffany,
I would contact:
Michigan Cranberry Marketing Committee
Eric Hanson, Executive Director
288 Plant & Soil Science Bldg.
MSU Horticulture Dept.
East Lansing, MI 48825-1325
Ph: (517) 355-5191, ext 386
If you learn anything, post it here!
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
One Trackback/Pingback
[...] We’re gearign up for Thanksgiving on Absolute Michigan today with two features. One will help you make it a Michigan Thanksgiving and the other has a bowlful of information about Michigan cranberries. [...]
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
Post a Comment