From Bog to Table
Located just over twenty minutes from the Astoria-Megler Bridge, the Pacific Coast Cranberry Research Foundation Farm & Museum of Long Beach, Washington is a curious destination for your next day trip. We returned from our visit with a bushel of artisan treats from the Farm’s gift shop and freshly harvested cranberries for our winter menus. Follow along for some serious West Coast Cranberry Inspiration for your fall adventures.
Upon arrival to the museum you can take the free, self-guided ½ mile tour through the Farm. We were fortunate to visit the Farm in mid-October during the peak of harvest season to get all the cranberry inspiration that we needed.
A stroll along the crimson colored bogs surrounded by the fall foliage is lovely experience we hope you will enjoy one day. Save the date for next year’s Annual Harvest Festival on October 9-10, 2021.
The West Coast Cranberry Connection
Despite their association with water filled bogs, cranberries grow on bushes and thrive in well-drained soil. Water is required for irrigation, frost protection and harvest. According to the Farm’s brochure, “Cranberries have been grown in Washington on the since 1883.
There are 8,000 acres of cranberries on the west coast grown in Bandon & Seaside Oregon, Long Beach & Grayland Washington and southern British Columbia.”
Did You Know?..
“Long before the Pilgrims arrived in 1620, and before Lewis and Clark walked these parts a century ago, Native Americans combined crushed cranberries with dried deer meat and melted fat to make pemmican – a convenience food that would keep a long time,” (http://cranberrymuseum.com/).
Berry Inspired
Ghosts of canned cranberry logs may continue to haunt our holiday memories but fear not, from sparkling cocktails to sweet and savory breads the cranberry is quite a versatile fruit. We gathered a few of our favorite cranberry inspired ideas for this upcoming holiday season…
Classic Cranberry Sauce:
This classic cranberry sauce recipe courtesy of Martha Stewart can be made 15 minutes:
- 24 ounces fresh or frozen cranberries (6 cups)
- 1 1/4 cups sugar
- 4 wide strips orange zest, plus 1 cup fresh juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Kosher salt
In a saucepan, combine cranberries, sugar, orange zest and juice, cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 cup water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until cranberries burst and mixture thickens slightly, 12 to 15 minutes. (Sauce will thicken more as it cools.) Remove from heat; let cool completely. Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 1 week.
Decking the Halls
Creating a colorful cranberry and orange garland is the rainy day project you need this year. Multiple dehydrating methods for the oranges are available online and average about four hours.
Once the drying process is complete use jute twine or fishing string with a sewing needle to thread your garland together. The addition of rosemary or cinnamon sticks will create a dreamy fragrance for your home.
Easy Brie-zy
We paired our homemade cranberry sauce, brie and salami over a garlic butter crostini. It is quick and easy and will be a huge hit with your guests.
A Sparkling Night Cap
Perhaps one of our favorite holiday cocktails is a cranberry sparkler.. drop 2-3 cranberries in a flute with prosecco, vanilla vodka and cranberry syrup (or juice) with a sprig of fresh rosemary.
Cheers! to a cozy and *berry* bright winter season from the Sage Bleu Catering team.
We hope that you enjoyed all of our ideas for a West Coast Cranberry Inspiration filled adventure!
We are accepting catering requests along the Oregon Coast from Astoria, Gearhart, Seaside, Cannon Beach, Manzanita, and even further for your catering needs.
Check your date today and see what we can start planning today for your Oregon Coast Catering needs!
Happy Holiday’s!!
