"Canberry" sauce

[greygarious]

This was the word of the day on Addictionary.com. Self-explanatory, though IMO particularly suited to the jellied version, plopped onto the dish in one piece, with the lines intact.

[random amblings]

I looked high and low for someone to comment on the fact that 2 oz. have been lopped off the Ocean Spray cans in honor of ... the stockholders. Oh, and what's with the labels being upside down, on both old and new model cans?

[paulj]

This Thanksgiving I brought a cooked cranberry-pineapple sauce, and a raw cranberry-orange relish from Trader Joes. The host cut the canned jelly into shapes with smaller cutters, and topped it with pomegranate arils that I brought. I enjoyed all three.

[pdxgastro]

Seriously, "arils"? You too high falutin to write "seeds"? :-)

[paulj]

In speech I use seeds or even 'pips', but I've learned that there are hounds who are picky about word usage. So I choose the most accurate term. And still get picked on :-(

But doesn't the use of 'arils' just raise the status of the canberry just a bit more? :-)

[kubasd]

i would say it makes it damn near gourmet!

whimsical plating of cranberry gelee, garnished with arils of pomegranate

[The Dairy Queen]

I didn't know arils was the proper term for pom seeds, so, I just learned something.

I've always wanted to try cutting the canberry into shapes, but never thought to sprinkle arils on them. I'll bet those were really neat!

~TDQ

[pdxgastro]

I learned something too, Paul J. I was only joshin you.

[pdxgastro]

Did anyone watch Leno on Turkey Day? He was honoring the military. He held a contest between members of each branch. One event was Gravy Pong. Another was having to open a can of "canberry" with an army knife. I could not tell if it had the an opener attachment or if they were just using a blade. After much effort, several were able to mangle the lid open and dump the sauce onto a plate. (One poor guy cut his hand and was bleeding.) It looked very difficult.

Does anyone else cut open both lids on the can, discard one and keep the other one on to "push" the whole perfect cylinder of sauce out? I do that with cans of tomato paste too.

[The Dairy Queen]

Yes, I like to open both ends of the can, but the can I bought this year had a weird rounded lip at one end, so, we had to get it out with a rubber spatula instead. It still held its shape, but took quite a bit of skill (on my husband's part).

~TDQ

[DelBocaVista]

Yes Dairy Queen! This started for me last year and it makes it so much more difficult to get the cranberry sauce out of the can. Wonder why they did this? Interestingly enough, all brands are like this. I used a butter knife and ran it around and around the can until it finally came loose. Used to be so easy when we could open both ends!

[Caitlin McGrath]

Having never dealt with a can of jellied cranberry sauce, I don't know how hepful this is, but Ocean Spray has a guide for getting it out in a perfect log: http://www.oceanspray.com/planit/esse...

[The Dairy Queen]

HA! Wow, just when you think you've seen everything. I wonder if a lot of people complained about the change in the cans messing up their perfect cranberry logs, which led them to put those directions up. I will remember that technique for next year (or, for Christmas, really). Thank you!

~TDQ

[greygarious]

The rounded bottom enables the cans to stack more securely - this style is replacing the "two-lidded" form in most American canned goods.

[DelBocaVista]

Thanks for the info greygarious!

That was my first post here, I've been a reader for quite a while, just signed up this morning. Makes me feel totally welcome here! Thanks!

[The Dairy Queen]

Welcome!

Interesting, I hadn't really noticed that they are making this change with all canned goods, but, I guess it's because I don't try to open most canned goods from both ends.

~TDQ

[DelBocaVista]

I only noticed it on the cranberry sauce cans, didn't even think to look at other canned goods. Like you it's the only thing I need or want to open from both ends! :)

[Scrapironchef]

Just use an ice pick t poke a hole in the bottom of the can and it will slide out in one large piece. The hole lets enough air in to break the suction.

[greygarious]

Nice to know that your initiation was painless! I started recycling cans (mostly pet food) quite a few years before it became commonplace - initially I removed both lids after washing the cans, then flattened them for compact storage between trips to the recycling drop-off, so I noticed immediately when the design changed. Some company or other included "easy stacking" in its advertising campaign, if memory serves.

[DelBocaVista]

So many interesting threads on this site. Enjoy reading everything and have learned so much.

"Easy stacking" says it right, but it is not a good thing for this particular item. But can't have Thanksgiving without it in my family!

[kubasd]

haha thats great! I served both my whole berry homemade sauce AND the canned one, sliced on the ribs. I grew up with the canned and served myself a bit of both.

[pikawicca]

I do the same. I know people who would not think of eating a whole cranberry.

[iluvcookies]

Love it! I admit to liking the "canberry" myself, though I do always make fresh.
I sometimes snack on it while cooking the rest of dinner.

[The Dairy Queen]

Well of course: without the "ribs" how would you know where to slice?

I love homemade cranberry sauce, but no one else in my world does. I don't find the canned all that objectionable (because I grew up with it, I guess), so, I don't bother with making it from scratch unless there will be someone around, besides me, who appreciates it.

~TDQ