Autumn Herb Recipe
This delicious sauce is a great twist on the old Thanksgiving favorite. Shan Zha/Hawthorn fruit blends well with cranberries both in color and in taste, and is a great addition to prevent potential food stagnation arising from the heavy meal. Shan Zha’s strong ability to resolve food stagnation will enable your guests to more easily digest the big Thanksgiving meal and be ready for dessert!
Animal and laboratory studies report that Shan Zha/hawthorn berries contain antioxidant flavenoids, including oligomeric procyandins (OPCs, also found in grapes) and quercetin.The University of Maryland Medical Center references several studies showing that hawthorn berries have been used medicinally as far back as the first century.
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- 1 cup dried hawthorn berries/Shan
- Zha/Crataegus fruit
- ¾ cup sugar
- ¾ cup water
- 2 tablespoons grated orange rind
DIRECTIONS:
- First wash and pit the hawthorn berries, soak in water for 10 minutes, then strain and discard water.
- In the meantime, wash the cranberries.
- Place the hawthorn berries in a saucepan with the sugar and water. Bring to a boil, then down to a simmer for 10 minutes.
- Add the cranberries, bring to a boiling point again, and simmer only until the cranberry skins pop – about 8 to 10 minutes, then take pot off the stove.
- Add orange rind and allow to cool. Serve warm or chilled.
Makes 3 cups.
