What's Thanksgiving without cranberries? For many, this is the traditional garnish for turkey. In my family, the basic cranberry sauce in a can is often supplemented or replaced by a fast and delicious relish. Cranberry relish is now a necessary part of our Thanksgiving meal and a part of our family traditions.

As a child, it was my special task to pour the cranberries in the hopper while my father turned the crank. We used a meat grinder, clamped to stool in the center of the kitchen floor. Around us was all the bustle and busyness of Thanksgiving preparations, but we were intent upon our task. Cranberries and orange pieces disappeared between the gnashing, grinding teeth, emerging as coarse chunks of red and gold. The juice splashed and dripped into the pan on the floor and Daddy eyed the mix of ground fruit in the bowl, deciding when we had enough. I loved to stir the honey in, blending the colors and flavors. Everyone around the kitchen had a taste to make sure it was not too sweet and not too tart, but perfect-ready for the cut-glass dish we served it in. It didn't take long to prepare and was a small part of the meal, but this simple ritual has stayed with us. And now, Thanksgiving dinner doesn't seem complete unless there's cranberry relish on the table.