Creating your Cranberry Orange Relish is simple if you follow these easy steps:

1. Prepare the Ingredients: Rinse the fresh cranberries thoroughly under cold water. Drain and set aside.
2. Zest the Orange: Using a microplane or zester, remove the zest from the orange, being careful not to include the bitter white pith.
3. Juice the Orange: Cut the orange in half and squeeze out the juice, discarding any seeds.
4. Combine Ingredients: In a food processor, add the cranberries, orange zest, orange juice, and granulated sugar.
5. Pulse to Mix: Pulse the mixture until the cranberries are coarsely chopped. Be careful not to over-process; you want some texture.
6. Add Nuts and Spices: If using, stir in the chopped walnuts or pecans and ground cinnamon. Mix well.
7. Chill: Transfer the relish to a bowl, cover, and refrigerate for at least one hour to let the flavors meld.
8. Taste and Adjust: Before serving, taste the relish. You can add more sugar if you prefer it sweeter.
9. Serve: Spoon the relish into a serving dish, ready to complement your holiday meal.

These steps will guide you in creating this refreshing and tangy relish effortlessly.