Cranberry-Tangerine Conserve
A vibrant and tart cranberry-tangerine conserve combining the bright citrus flavor with tart cranberries and crunchy walnuts, perfect for spreading on toast or serving with cheese.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Remove peel from tangerines; scrape off excess white membrane. Cut and peel into very thin strips.
- Reserve 3/4 cup of the tangerine strips.
- In a large saucepan, combine water, cranberries, and the remaining tangerine strips.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until cranberries burst and mixture thickens, about 10 minutes.
- Stir in powdered fruit pectin and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
- Add sugar gradually, stirring constantly until fully dissolved.
- Return to a boil and cook for 3-5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Remove from heat and stir in chopped walnuts.
- Pour hot conserve into sterilized jars, leaving appropriate headspace.
- Seal jars and cool completely before storing.
Tips & Substitutions
When preparing the tangerines, ensure you remove as much of the white membrane as possible for a less bitter flavor. If fresh tangerines are unavailable, consider using canned tangerine segments, rinsed and drained, as a substitute. For added texture, you can replace walnuts with pecans or omit nuts altogether for a nut-free version.
Serving Suggestions
This Cranberry-Tangerine Conserve is delightful when served with breakfast items like pancakes or waffles. It pairs beautifully with cream cheese on bagels or as a topping for yogurt. For a festive twist, serve it alongside roasted meats or as part of a charcuterie board with cheeses and crackers.
Storage & Reheating
Store the cooled conserve in sterilized jars in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. For longer storage, process the jars in a water bath canner for about 10 minutes. To enjoy leftovers, simply spoon the conserve over toast, yogurt, or use it as a topping for desserts.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Cranberry-Tangerine Conserve contains roughly 1506 calories, with 31g protein, 88g carbohydrates, and 128g fat. It is an excellent source of dietary fiber (65% of the Daily Value), protein (62% of the Daily Value), and iron (35% of the Daily Value), and a good source of calcium. It also contributes 18g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use frozen cranberries for this recipe?
Yes, you can use frozen cranberries in this conserve recipe. Just make sure to thaw them before cooking. They may require a few extra minutes to cook down, but they'll work just as well as fresh cranberries.
How can I adjust the sweetness of the conserve?
If you prefer a less sweet conserve, you can reduce the amount of sugar. Try starting with 5 cups instead of 6 1/2 cups and adjust to taste. Keep in mind that reducing sugar may affect the texture and preservation of the conserve.
Is it possible to make this conserve without pectin?
Yes, you can make this conserve without pectin by cooking it longer to achieve the desired thickness. However, the finished product may be looser in consistency. You can also experiment with chia seeds as a natural thickener for a different texture.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).