When it comes to meals over the holidays, we’re generally a pretty easy going bunch of people. We eat just about anything. So no big issues with allergies or even issues about traditions, that certain foods must happen at certain times.
Sure, some of the younger ones might get a bit fussy, but there’s usually something that will keep them happy.
But there is one item that can be a bit of a bone of contention. The cranberry sauce.
I like my cranberries whole. Preferably picked by my own hands, just because I like hanging around in swamps and bogs for a few hours each fall. But if picking them myself part isn’t possible, I can do without that. If I have to. But I still want my whole berry sauce.
I do have one brother in law who sees things differently. He needs jellied cranberries. It has to be the canned jellied cranberry as well. He needs to hear that weird “ploop” noise as the lump of jelly slips out of the can.
While there is something satisfying about that noise, I still prefer lumps in my berries. I often to make him some jelly one year. I have made cranberry juice, so the process would be similar. But he declined my offer. It wouldn’t be the same if it didn’t come out of a can.
While his insistence on the canned, jellied cranberries to me seems a bit strange, I respect the fact that it is a Christmas decision for him. He needs to hear that sound and taste cranberries that aren’t lumpy. And also see the shape of the inside of the can proudly displayed on a lump of jelly.
I happen to prefer my cranberries with actual berries in them. And just cranberry. I prefer mine without orange or anything else. Just cranberries and sugar.
In spite of this slight disagreement, we still make family gatherings work. As long as he keeps his jellied cranberries at his end of the table.