New England, Meet California, and California, This Is New England

I am a *big* fan of CMB Sweets here in San Francisco. What started as a hobby making awesome strawberry jam for friends and family turned into a preserves business that includes a "Jam of the Month Club." CMB Sweets Strawberry Jam won a taste-test contest we held at Sunset magazine a few years ago. And it won hands-down, no-contest, unanimously. And now just in time for Thanksgiving, CMB Sweets has come out with a cranberry orange sauce made with fresh New England cranberries and whole California Valencia oranges (which are just coming into season as I type). You can mail order from CMB or visit their market stand if you can get yourself to the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market in San Francisco.

Can't make that work? I understand. Try one of these cranberry concoctions instead:

• How to Make Cranberry Sauce
• Fresh Cranberry & Orange Relish
• Cabernet Cranberry Sauce

Virtual Cookie Exchange- Our guide to Latin Caribbean food suggests Besitos de Coco (Coconut Kisses) which are a favorite treat in the Spanish speaking islands.