Fall, Cranberries and Uncle Lou
Every year when it’s cranberry season, I think about my Great Uncle, Lou.
It’s the time of year that I make cranberry bread to eat and give away as gifts, as my mom did before me. I would like to think that people looked forward to these treats as much as I loved making them.
Uncle Lou was one of the sweetest men I ever have encountered. I would see him every day when we were at our summer home in Millston Wisconsin. He was my Grandmother Lil’s youngest brother. He and his older brother ran a business, started by their father, selling Sphagnum moss and other products for the home gardener. He was also the Postmaster, instrumental in founding Jackson County Bank, expanding the Hospital in town, plus he was a Mason, which remains a curiosity to me to this day.
Lou’s wife, my Aunt Liza, or Betty as she was known outside the family, was one of the most intensely curious people I’ve ever known. She was head of the regional 4H, involved in the Homemakers Club and wrote the town news column, which was published weekly in The Banner Journal of Black River Falls WI., County Seat of Jackson County. Whenever I would barge through her back door I would hear the tap, tap, tap of her typewriter, I knew to be quick with my questions, she was a busy lady.
Every November like clockwork, a 10 pound box of fresh cranberries would arrive at our home in Chicago, in the mail. Uncle Lou, would have gotten them from Habelman’s Cranberries, a grower down the road from his home, off of County Road O. The Hableman family has been growing and harvesting Cranberries for several generations.
This is all meant to say that Cranberries have a very special place in my heart. The recipe here was most likely written by my Grandma Lil, although everyone’s handwriting was the same back then.
Making these breads, is easy and if you are used to making banana or zucchini bread this is a breeze.
A word about the Cranberries, I suggest, cutting them in half, and while washing them swirl them around in your colander and get as many of the seeds out of the berries as possible. At this point you can freeze the berries for later use, or use them right away.
The nuts can be any type you like, Walnuts here work great, and remember to always toast them before adding to the mixture.
I have also been inclined to add 1 cup of semi sweet chocolate chips. They can be swapped out for the walnuts, but you know me, and my love for nuts, so I do it all.
Cranberry breads make great gifts during the fall season. They conjure up treasured memories from this time of year, a change in the air, the sweet tart flavor of the berries, Uncle Lou and Aunt Liza.
Try making this recipe yourself. But, if you do not want to do the baking, I’m happy to make them for you upon request. Just send me a note through this site or email to el@eletchinger.com