Question: Our son is attending a prep school in Connecticut. Because we never miss parents' weekends, we're always looking for a comfortable place to stay. Our favorite is the newly renovated Mayflower Inn. All the food is delicious, but we particularly like the condiment Cranberry Ketchup. I know my family would enjoy the ketchup with our Thanksgiving turkey. Will they share the recipe?
- Laura Green, New York
Answer: The Colonial Revival shingle-style Mayflower Inn, situated on 28 wooded acres of maples and specimen trees such as Weeping Blue Atlas Cedars in Washington, Conn., was originally built as a girls' school in 1894. The recently renovated inn's Shakespeare Garden blooms with the charm of an English country garden, and the fall foliage is spectacularly colorful!
Explore the nearby towns of New Preston, Marbledale, Woodville, Woodbury, Kent and historic Litchfield; they look much as they did a hundred years ago. Antiques, objets d'art and art galleries abound, particularly around Litchfield, which is sometimes referred to as "America's antiques capital." The Tapping Reeve House and Law School, established in Litchfield in 1774, is credited with being the first American law school and graduated Aaron Burr and John C. Calhoun. The first American bishop of the Episcopal Church was elected in 1783 in the Glebe House in Woodbury.
Cranberry Ketchup is delicious Yankee fare, and should be served as a condiment for roast turkey, chicken, quail or any game.
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RECIPE
THE MAYFLOWER INN'S CRANBERRY KETCHUP
3 pounds fresh cranberries
1 cup white vinegar
1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon sea salt
2 teaspoons whole allspice
2 cinnamon sticks
4 whole cloves
1 cup finely diced onions
1 tablespoon fresh minced garlic
1/4 teaspoon chili pepper
1 lime rind, grated
Combine all ingredients except for the cranberries and bring to a boil. Cook until reduced to 1 cup. Strain mixture and save the liquid. Cook cranberries in 1/2 cup of water, until thick, approximately 20 minutes. Fold in spice liquid and chill. Makes approximately 3 cups.