ANNUAL THANKSGIVING HANDBOOK : THE CRANBERRIES : Seeing Red

You can follow the basic recipe on the back of the cranberry bag, but with just a little extra effort, you can have something really special. This recipe, from the family of Deputy Food Editor Russ Parsons, has become a Thanksgiving standard in The Times Test Kitchen. It’s extremely simple. Just be sure you leave enough time before serving for the flavors to mellow, about three days. And be sure not to overcook the cranberries--that little pop when you bite one is part of the pleasure.

MOM PARSONS’ CRANBERRIES

1 1/2 cups sugar

3/4 cup water

3 whole cloves

3 whole allspice

2 (3-inch) cinnamon sticks

1 (12-ounce) bag fresh cranberries

Zest 1 orange

Bring sugar, water, cloves, allspice and cinnamon sticks to boil in 4-quart saucepan. Cook, stirring, until syrup is clear, about 3 minutes. Add cranberries and cook just until they begin to pop, about 5 minutes.

Remove from heat, add orange zest and cool. Keep in refrigerator at least 3 days before using.

Makes 2 1/2 cups relish.

Each 1/4-cup serving contains about:

132 calories; 1 mg sodium; 0 cholesterol; 0 fat; 35 grams carbohydrates; 0 protein; 0.41 gram fiber.