Until my introduction to a prairie electrical storm in the vicinity of Saskatoon a couple of years ago, the worst thunder and lightening of my experience resounded through a little house in Granville Centre, NS. While I sat trembling in a corner of the living room of Bebe Buszek's Cranberrie Cottage, both doors were open, and like wide-spread arms, seemed to almost invite the storm inside. As I awaited the lightening bolt that would fry me to a crisp, my hostess was completely oblivious to the noise and my abject fear. In her charming and enthusiastic way, she talked only about the things that mattered, mostly cranberries and her recently published cookbook, The Cranberry Connection (1977).
Few people, apart from the folks at Ocean Spray, have done more to popularize this tart North American berry than Beatrice Ross Buszek, a native Nova Scotian who spent her winters lecturing at Cornell University, in Ithaca, NY.
Although this energetic woman succumbed to cancer about 15 years ago, her "connection" books are still available. The Blueberry Connection, The Strawberry Connection, The Sugar Bush Connection and The Apple Connection all have a place on my bookshelves. But it's The Cranberry Connection that is closest to my heart.
Bebe saw in this tart little berry a colourful past and an even brighter future. Indeed, she added the glow that lifted the "ruby of the bogs" into modern times as she invented local names for the recipes she tested on her old wood stove.
Names like Annapolis Mist (a jigger of cherry brandy, topped with cranberry juice), Granville Jam (a mixture of cranberries and apples), Maritime Chicken and a Bluenose Special (Cake), add to the charm of her book.
I wish Bebe could have been one of my tasters when we tested the cranberry recipes that make up Marie's Menu in this issue. I know she would have been happy with the results.
My thanks to Patrick and Frankie Flynn, Vincent and Florence Heighton, Jan Heighton, Hughena Hubley, and our photographer Perry Jackson, who stood in for Bebe and did the tasting.