Ripe Grapes
by Cat, Jan 2008 (Photo, right, from Wikimedia Commons)
See also: 1. Dessert Sauces (menu)
Includes: 1. Greek Wine & Orange Sauce; 2. Grape Syrup
Red grapes and red wines are excellent sources resveratrol, a phytonutrient present in red fruits including red grapes and tomatoes. But grapes have other benefits as well, including improvement of insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control, and also the benefits attributed to berries in general. They have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-cancer benefits.
Most of these benefits are not lost by fermenting them, although overconsumption of the alcohol product of fermentation has a detrimental effect on liver health. However, some of the phytonutrients in grapes are destroyed by boiling.
Greek Wine and Orange Sauce
This wine sauce is from A Passion for Vegetables, by Anna Gewanter. Refrigerated, this sauce will keep for months, and can be reheated. If it becomes too thick, add a little wine and reheat.
Makes about 1 1/2 cups sauce.
Ingredients & Equipment:
- 1 cup red sweet wine
- 1 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
- 3 Tbsp thick honey
- 1 Tbsp grated orange zest
- enameled cast iron saucepan
- jar with lid (optional)
Procedure:
- Grate orange zest and squeeze the juice.
- Combine all ingredients in saucepan, stirring to blend. Simmer, uncovered, about 10 minutes.
- Serve immediately if a warm sauce is desired. Or pour into a jar, seal well, and refrigerate
Grape Syrup
This wonderful sauce is from A Passion for Vegetables, by Anna Gewanter (1). Grapes are usually so sweet that you can make a syrup without the addition of any sweetener.
Ingredients & Equipment:
- Table grapes (sweet variety)
- enameled cast iron saucepan
- serving bowl
Procedure:
- Boil grapes very slowly until they begin to thicken.
- Pass through a sieve to remove skins and seeds, then continue to simmer until syrup is of desired consistency. Sauce will continue to thicken while cooling.
- Serve warm or cold
References:
- A Passion for Vegetables, by Anna Gewanter.
- World’s Healthiest Foods on grapes and resveratrol: whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=40 and whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=george&dbid=46
