Healthy Recipes:Fresh Blueberry and Cranberry Relish

Photo courtesy of Chilean Fresh Fruit Association;

Wake up traditional cranberry relish  with fresh blueberry boost
Sonoma, CA, October 14, 2009-- Treat your family to a fabulous new twist on a classic holiday favorite. Give traditional cranberry relish a taste upgrade and nutrient boost by adding fragrant fresh blueberries to the mix.

The holidays are a time to be grateful for abundance and thanks to a fresh supply of high quality blueberries from Chile, Americans now can enjoy this luscious antioxidant-rich super berry all winter long.

Make sure to make enough of this delectable tangy relish to transform your leftover turkey and ham sandwiches from mundane to marvelous. And while you're at it, spoon some relish into pretty glass jelly jars, tie a ribbon around the lids and take them around to the neighbors as a healthy homemade holiday gift.

Fresh Blueberry and Cranberry Relish
1 cup fresh blueberries
1 cup fresh orange juice
8 oz. fresh cranberries
1 tablespoon orange zest
3/4 cup sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Cook until the sugar dissolves and the berries soften, for about 15 minutes.  Remove from heat, cover and chill.  Best made in advance to let flavors blend.

Makes 12 1/4 cup servings

Nutrients per serving:
Calories 76, fat 0, cholesterol 0, sodium 0, dietary fiber 0, protein 0

Serving suggestions:
As a side on traditional holiday dinner plates.
Poured over turkey, pork or ham.
Over vanilla ice cream, sorbet, or frozen yogurt.

Added to a turkey and cream cheese sandwich to freshen up leftovers.

Blueberry facts:

About 95% of Americans believe fresh is best when it comes to blueberries.

Today we can enjoy fresh blueberries all year long thanks to blueberries from Chile where it's summer during our winter.

Blueberries contain a natural chemical shown to prevent colon cancer.

A half-cup of blueberries packs plenty of fiber, vitamin C, potassium and antioxidants into only 40 sweet calories.

Blueberries contain more disease-fighting antioxidants than red wine or green tea.

Half a cup of blueberries a day may help improve brain function plus help prevent Alzheimer's and dementia, according to independent university studies.

Blueberries not only lower risk of heart disease and cancer, they are anti-inflammatory.

Some scientific evidence suggests that blueberries may be beneficial for the skin. New skin care treatments include blueberry extracts to help revitalize the skin and hasten healing.

Blueberries are as effective as cranberries to help guard against urinary tract infections.

Blueberries are considered a "superfood" by leading nutrition and medical experts and a recommended diet staple for health, skin care and longevity.

Fresh Tip:

For a superfood snack, toss some blueberries together with
walnuts and toasted oats laced with honey. Take along in a container to work or school. Or enjoy at home layered with vanilla yogurt as a perfect parfait.


For more information, please contact Patricia Schnedier
psa.patricia@gmail.com
(415) 717-7595 or visit
www.chileanfreshfruit.com