Nearly Perfect Sugar-Free Cranberry Sauce

1 bag (12 ounces) fresh or frozen cranberries, organic preferred

24 packets (equivalent to 1 cup sugar) sugar substitute (such as Truvia or Stevia)

1 wide strip orange or lemon zest

2 tablespoons water

Empty cranberries into a colander and rinse under cold water; picking-out and discarding any bruised berries.

Set ½ cup of the cranberries aside and add the remaining cranberries to a medium saucepan placed over medium-low heat. Add sugar substitute, orange or lemon zest and water to the pan and cook, stirring occasionally, until the cranberries are soft, about 10 minutes. Increase the heat to medium and cook until the cranberries burst, about 10-12 minutes. Reduce the heat to low and add the ½ cup reserved cranberries. Cook, stirring occasionally for 3 to 4 more minutes. Remove from the heat. When sufficiently cool, taste and adjust seasoning with additional sugar substitute, salt and pepper.

Makes about 3 cups, serves 10 to 12.

Nutrition values per ¼-cup serving (without added salt): 16 calories (8 percent from fat), 1.7 g fat (0 saturated), 3.4 g carbohydrates, 1.4 g fiber, 0.1 g protein, 0 cholesterol, 1 mg sodium.