Cranberry bogs are to New England what bayous are to southern Louisiana: a fact of life. The cranberry, called sassamanesh by the Wampanoag, is so important that the Wampanoag of Aquinnah celebrate Cranberry Day on the second Tuesday in October. Students are dismissed from school and participate in all kinds of cultural activities. A potluck supper for adults ends the festivities and includes many dishes in which New England’s own sweet-tart berry takes center stage. There’s sure to be a crisp of some sort on the dessert table.
SERVES 4
Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange the apple slices and the cranberries in the bottom of a 5-cup baking dish. Drizzle them evenly with the maple syrup and lemon juice. Combine the brown sugar, rolled oats, flour, and butter in a small bowl and mix well. Crumble the mixture evenly over the fruit.
Bake for 15 minutes. Lower the heat to 350°F and continue to bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the apples have softened and the topping is golden. Serve bubbling hot topped with the ice cream.