Help! Alternative to Cranberry Sauce for Thanksgiving?!

16 years ago

I just got a semi-frantic email from a friend who's doing a two year stint in Italy. He's trying to make a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for 50! people. Apparently word got out that he was having some friends over and it just ballooned to 50 people at a local community center. :) Guess everyone wants to see what all the fuss is about.

So he's found a butcher to get him turkeys, first hurdle down. Now he's working on the sides. He can't find cranberries in the "greater Italian area" and is looking for options. The only idea he's had so far is a cherry sauce. Any other ideas? I knew if anyone would be able to help it'd be the CF!

TIA,

Bri

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Comments (14)

lindac
16 years ago
Fresh currents? Cherries and rhubarb would work...if he could find rhubarb.
Lingon berries canned?
Linda C
lucyny
16 years ago
My friend very recently found cranberries in the Rome area. I know she didn't buy up the stock ;-)
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susytwo
16 years ago
I would second Lingonberries. They are tart like cranberries. For turkey, I actually prefer lingonberry sauce to cranberry.

What about pomegranate? Or gooseberries?
bri29
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks everyone! I'll send along your suggestions. And maybe suggest he make a trip down to Rome this weekend. :)
hawk307
16 years ago
Bri:
I usually make a Pineapple Sauce besides the Cranberry sauce because we have Ham also.
Just simmer a can of crushed Pineapple add some Orange juice, sugar and a pinch of powdered cloves.

If you add some red coloring, might resemble Cranberries.
When the Pineapples are tender thicken with Cornstarch.

Lucy:
Hello !!!!! haven't talked to you for awhile.
Nice to hear your voice.
LOU
lpinkmountain
16 years ago
I would think the closest thing Europeans have to cranberries are lingonberries or currants (fresh). Sour cherries maybe too, but not the sweet ones.
beanthere_dunthat
16 years ago
I'd go with lingonberries for the flavor.

No cranberries for Thanksgiving. That's just...sad.
It's my favorite part next to the turkey!
caavonldy
16 years ago
We like chunky applesauce alongside of the cranberry sauce. It goes well with most autumn or harvest meals.
Donna
bri29
Original Author
16 years ago
I agree, Thanksgiving without cranberry sauce is just not right. Thanks for all the support, I LOVE this forum.

He really liked the Lingonberry idea and was going to see if he could find any. He's in Bologna, so I don't know if he'll be able to get to Rome for cranberries with all the other stuff he has to do this weekend!

Thanks all!
Bri
booberry85
16 years ago
How about spiced apple rings? It's in keeping with autumnal fare.
caliloo
16 years ago
Bri - could you just send him a couple of cans? I know it would be expensive, but if everyone got a tiny taste it might be worth it. And I would have suggested fresh, but I bet that would be a problem with customs.....

Alexa
coconut_nj
16 years ago
All good suggestions. I think any tart berry would work well. I also was going to say that in a pinch I think a nice home made applesauce would work very well. The main idea is to act as a foil to all the other rich food and applesauce does that job great. That is very nice of your friend. Please send thanks for spreading the tradition.
beanthere_dunthat
16 years ago
Booberry, you're a genius. Spiced apple rings are the epitome of US autum!

I haven't had those in ages. Why? Oh, this forum is SO BAD for starting cravings.
glenda_al
16 years ago
My mother always served pickled peaches, that you buy in the market. As well as cranberry sauce.

As a kid I preferred pickled peaches.

Help! Alternative to Cranberry Sauce for Thanksgiving?!

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lindac

lucyny

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Help! Alternative to Cranberry Sauce for Thanksgiving?!

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