I’m always on the look out for make-ahead appetizers, especially for the holidays!
Cranberry Salsa was in Christmas With Southern Living’s 2012 edition and comes together in 10 minutes.
Factor in that it’s also colorful, fresh AND a tasty addition to serve to your guests, makes it Merry Cranberry Salsa for me :)
For other make-ahead and quick & easy appetizers, you can find some ideas from our cookie exchange party last year, pictured above, here.
Cranberry Salsa Ingredients
This is a little sweet and a little tart~ add another jalapeño pepper to turn up the heat!
2 cups fresh or frozen cranberries, thawed (I used the whole 12-oz. package of fresh cranberries)
1 small Gala, Fuji, or Braeburn apple, cubed
1 medium size jalapeño pepper, seeded and quartered (1 pepper didn’t have a lot of heat, so you may want to add 2 peppers)
1/4 cup superfine sugar
1 tablespoon orange zest (my addition)
1 green onion, finely chopped (I used half a shallot)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon canola oil (I omitted and used juice of half an orange instead)
½ teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, optional
You can make your own sweet potato chips or cinnamon pita chips to serve with this salsa or just open a bag if you’re harried like me during the holidays!
Pulse the cranberries, apple, and jalapeño pepper in food processor until coarsely chopped, stopping to scrape down sides as needed.
Transfer to a bowl; stir in green onion and cilantro if desired.
Add sugar and remaining ingredients, stirring well.
Cover and chill 2 – 24 hours, the color will deepen the longer it chills. Stir before serving with sweet potato chips or cinnamon sugar pita chips.
Makes approximately 2 ½ cups, so you may need to double this for a crowd!
Wishing you a Merry Cranberry Christmas!
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This looks wonderful, and I bet it’s great with the Sweet Potato Chips! All of a sudden we’re having a cocktail party right before Christmas so this is going to be a perfect addition to the menu. Thanks!
Jenna
Yummy, Mary! What a delightful Christmastime treat! Thanks for sharing the recipe with us. I bet the combination of sweet, tart, and hot is delicious!!!
I am hosting our small family holiday dinner. So far, three of your recipes are on the menu! Cranberry Salsa, Marinated shrimp and artichokes and cranberry – pecan cracker , cookies. Love the recipes you provide. The pumpkin granola was a hit this fall too!
Such beautiful color, I have made this before, but your addition of apple sounds great. Have been seeing the cinnamon chips, sounds like a perfect pairing. Always love your styling…
Oh my goodness that looks good! And I love sweet potato chips!
SL should have your photos! I am amazed by all the different combinations that can be had in salsa.
Looks yummy! I will have to try this sometime….Christine
YUMMMM!! I will make this when our son and my sister get here for the holidays!! Thanks so much. Once again your photos are beautiful. XO, Pinky
Yum! I need to take a dish to a party Thursday evening. Think this looks like a winner. Thanks!
That recipe looks and sounds so yummy! Thanks for sharing it!
I love cranberry recipes Mary. I make my own cranberry relish so look forward to making this salsa.
This looks so yummy! Can’t wait to try it!
Sounds and looks wonderful…so colorful. I like your touches (adding orange juice instead of oil, shallot instead of green onion, etc) – going to a holiday potluck on the 23rd and I think I will be taking this!
Thank you for amazing us with your creativity and inspiration all through the year, Mary!
Yum and gorgeous! I love the few whole berries, they make it so pretty Mary. I haven’t seen the sweet potato chips yet here, but they sure sound good. I was just thinking today that I haven’t used a jalapeno in a long time… gonna correct that:@)
Doesn’t this look wonderful?!! I just love the color. It sounds so refreshing and fun for a Christmas party. How am I going to be able to pick from all of these great appetizers?
Oh, yum! This sounds so good and looks so pretty and festive! Now I just need to figure out something low carb as a dipper!
So festive and inviting. This salsa looks delicious and so pretty. You definitely have a way with presentation.
Different, interesting, neat idea
made it for the family. loved it.
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