Cranberryaholics Anonymous

Has anyone else out there had this strange compulsion to buy bags and BAGS of discounted fresh cranberries left over from the holiday season?  Every time I see a bag and the price says $1, I grab it, I am not even sure it is a conscious decision, maybe the cranberries are finding me.  Perhaps in my last 6 months of utter joblessness I am starting to lose my mind?  I mean do I really think when next year comes around, I won't be able to spend the $2.50 on a bag of regular priced cranberries?  Have I started to go into hoarding mode?  If so, why cranberries?  These questions plaque me every time I try to get into my freezer and have to search under bags of cranberries to find what I am really looking for- you know, actually food I can cook for dinner.  Have I mentioned that I don't even like cranberries that much?

Oh well, here's a a cranberry recipe (original stolen from http://www.bigoven.com/, it has been tweaked):

Cranberry Jelly

2 14 cups water
1 (12) ounce package of fresh cranberries- or freshly thawed cranberries in my case
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/8 tsp salt
1 cinammon stick
1/2 tsp vanilla

In a medium saucepan, bring the water to a boil. Add the cranberries and cinammon stick and boil over moderately high heat, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.

Puree the cranberries in a food processor and strain.  Don't forget to remove the cinnamon stick and discard.

Return the puree to the pan and cook over low heat, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes. Add the sugar and salt, and cook until the sugar dissolves, about 2 minutes. At this point, I also like to add a bit ,1/2 tsp, of vanilla to sort of round out the cranberriness. Transfer to a bowl, let cool; refrigerate until gelled. I like to put them in little mason jars for serving or giving away for gifts.

Makes about 3 cups.

-Jenny