Nantucket Cranberries
a different type of island fruit
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"In the beauty of autumn on Nantucket, you will find the cranberries blushing under the caress of cool breezes."
Autumn Fruits of Nantucket
Amid the golden hues of fall, Nantucket Cranberries ripen to a luscious deep red, a visual symphony that signals their tart goodness. Bursting with a vibrant, zesty flavor, these small, glossy fruits tingle the taste buds, their tartness mellows into a subtle sweetness that dances gracefully across the palate. The crisp, refreshing texture adds to the delight, making every bite an intimate encounter with the essence of New England's autumn.
A Different Type of Island Fruit
The indigenous peoples of the region, the Wampanoag tribe, were the first to cultivate these ruby berries, employing them for food, medicine, and dyes for blankets and rugs. The sandy, acidic soil of the Nantucket lowlands provided an ideal terrain for these hardy fruits. The farming of cranberries was taken up in the mid-19th century. Today, the island has some of the oldest continually operated cranberry bogs in the country. The Nantucket Conservation Foundation, which oversees the cranberry bogs, carries on the tradition of cranberry farming, using both modern and historical methods to cultivate the crop.
Meal Ideas
The Native Americans made a cranberry dish called pemmican. It was made of a mixture of dried cranberries, deer fat, dried meat or fish and cornmeal. It was then pounded into a pulp that was formed into cakes and left in the sun to dry. Here is a modern take on that recipe!
Onceuponachef.com has a delicious looking Nantucket cranberry pie recipe!
Where to find Nantucket Cranberries
Nantucket Cranberries are widely available and freeze well. Keep an eye out for brands like Cape Code Select in your grocery store.
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