Pick up know-how for tackling diseases, pests and weeds.
Farm bill, farm marketing, agribusiness webinars, & farm policy.
Find tactics for healthy livestock and sound forages.
Scheduling and methods of irrigation.
Explore our Extension locations around the state.
Commercial row crop production in Arkansas.
Agriculture weed management resources.
Use virtual and real tools to improve critical calculations for farms and ranches.
Learn to ID forages and more.
Explore our research locations around the state.
Get the latest research results from our county agents.
Our programs include aquaculture, diagnostics, and energy conservation.
Keep our food, fiber and fuel supplies safe from disaster.
Private, Commercial & Non-commercial training and education.
Specialty crops including turfgrass, vegetables, fruits, and ornamentals.
Find educational resources and get youth engaged in agriculture.
Gaining garden smarts and sharing skills.
Timely tips for the Arkansas home gardener.
Creating beauty in and around the home.
Maintenance calendar, and best practices.
Coaxing the best produce from asparagus to zucchini.
What’s wrong with my plants? The clinic can help.
Featured trees, vines, shrubs and flowers.
Ask our experts plant, animal, or insect questions.
Enjoying the sweet fruits of your labor.
Herbs, native plants, & reference desk QA.
Growing together from youth to maturity.
Crapemyrtles, hydrangeas, hort glossary, and weed ID databases.
Get beekeeping, honey production, and class information.
Grow a pollinator-friendly garden.
Schedule these timely events on your gardening calendar.
Equipping individuals to lead organizations, communities, and regions.
Guiding communities and regions toward vibrant and sustainable futures.
Guiding entrepreneurs from concept to profit.
Position your business to compete for government contracts.
Find trends, opportunities and impacts.
Providing unbiased information to enable educated votes on critical issues.
Increase your knowledge of public issues & get involved.
Research-based connection to government and policy issues.
Support Arkansas local food initiatives.
Read about our efforts.
Preparing for and recovering from disasters.
Licensing for forestry and wildlife professionals.
Preserving water quality and quantity.
Cleaner air for healthier living.
Firewood & bioenergy resources.
Managing a complex forest ecosystem.
Read about nature across Arkansas and the U.S.
Learn to manage wildlife on your land.
Soil quality and its use here in Arkansas.
Learn to ID unwanted plant and animal visitors.
Timely updates from our specialists.
Eating right and staying healthy.
Ensuring safe meals.
Take charge of your well-being.
Cooking with Arkansas foods.
Making the most of your money.
Making sound choices for families and ourselves.
Nurturing our future.
Get tips for food, fitness, finance, and more!
Understanding aging and its effects.
Giving back to the community.
Managing safely when disaster strikes.
Listen to our latest episode!
TEXARKANA, Ark. –
With Thanksgiving coming up in just a few weeks, you likely have started planning the Thanksgiving menu or if you are not responsible for the food, you are planning what you will eat. Besides the obvious turkey, one of the symbols of the holiday is the cranberry. For many, this means canned cranberry sauce. Cranberries are a fruit native to North America. Harvest is a short few weeks in the fall, but like most farmers, they are working the ground and crop year round. Fresh cranberries are available from October thru December in the produce aisle. The rest are combined with other ingredients to become sauce, juice, or dried cranberries.
When selecting fresh cranberries, select shiny, plump berries, ranging in color from bright light red to dark red. Discard shriveled berries or those with brown spots.
To prepare fresh cranberries for cooking, sort out bruised berries and rinse the remainder with cold water and use in your recipe. Do not wash before freezing. If you are cooking frozen berries, thawing is not necessary, just wash, drain and follow recipe directions using frozen berries.
Fresh cranberries should be stored in the refrigerator in their original plastic bag for up to a month. You can also freeze fresh cranberries in their packaging for up to a year, so it is best to buy one for now, and freeze two for later because they are not usually available after the holidays. For storing other packaged cranberry products including juices, dried cranberries or cranberry sauce, please check the label.
Dried cranberries work well in baked goods; however, there is a one fourth cup difference in measurement. If a recipe calls for one cup of fresh or frozen cranberries, use three fourth cup of sweetened dried cranberries. You can also rehydrate dried cranberries using water or cranberry juice for a more plump texture, but this generally isn’t necessary.
Cranberry products contain polyphenol antioxidants and vitamins A,C, E and K. They contain no fat, cholesterol and are very low in sodium. Cranberry products are usually sweetened. Unlike other berries, cranberries are naturally low in sugar and high in acidity, making them especially tart.
Why not start your Thanksgiving Day with cranberry muffins at breakfast. You can make them the night before, store in an airtight container and reheat in the oven the next morning. Set up a breakfast buffet with fresh sliced fruit, coffee, juice, milk, and your morning is off on a healthy start, with little work.
Cranberry Muffins
2 cups all-purpose flour1 cup sugar1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder1 teaspoon salt1/2 teaspoon baking soda1/4 cup margarine or butter1 egg, well beaten1 teaspoon grated orange peel3/4 cup orange juice1 1/2 cup fresh cranberries, chopped or one cup dried
Sift flour, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda into a large bowl. Cut in margarine until mixture is course. Add egg, orange peel, and orange juice all at once. Stir until mixture is evenly moist. Fold in cranberries. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups, two thirds full. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Makes 15 muffins.
For our free Cranberries for the Holidays handout, contact the Miller County Extension Office, 870-779-3609 or visit us in room 215 at the Miller County Courthouse. We're online at cdue@uada.edu, on Facebook at UAEXMillerCountyFCS, on Twitter @MillerCountyFCS or on the web at uaex.uada.edu/Miller.
By Carla Due County Extension Agent - FCSThe Cooperative Extension ServiceU of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Carla Due County Extension Agent - FCSU of A Division of AgricultureCooperative Extension Service400 Laurel Street, Suite 215 Texarkana AR 71854 (870) 779-3609 cdue@uada.edu
The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay. The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.