Raisin

Stir some chopped fresh mint into yogurt for a cool topping on sliced tomato and cucumber salad, with warm pita bread alongside. Pistachio ice cream on sweetened orange segments is perfect afterward.

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

Cranberries originally grew wild in Wisconsin; now they are the state's leading commercial fruit crop. They're also a must on the Thanksgiving table. In this take on a holiday staple, the mincemeat filling is packed with dried cranberries, which lend a tart balance to the sweetness of the raisins.

Diced apple, dried apricots and golden raisins accent this 30-minute entrée.

All the appeal of traditional mincemeat pie—without all of the traditional work.

"During a visit to Biloxi, Mississippi, I had dinner at The Seafood Buffet in the Grand Casino," Brenda Hill of Ann Arbor, Michigan. "The bread pudding was served with a wonderful spiced rum sauce. I'd be grateful to have the recipe for this decadent dessert."

Capirotada The cheese in this recipe melts into the pudding and contributes more texture than flavor.

"When I was a small child, my father used to take my elder brother and me to New York City for St. Patrick's Day," writes Stephanie Foley of Massapequa, Long Island. "We would spend the morning marching in the parade while my mother, back in Long Island, prepared a feast of corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes. But what we all truly looked forward to was her Irish soda bread. It's savory and substantial — and unlike any other I have tried. I hope you all enjoy it as much as we do."

Can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

(Spinaci con Pinoli e Passerine) Spinach with pine nuts and raisins is a classic Sephardic dish that appears on tables in Greece, Spain, Turkey, and Italy, where it is a staple on Venetian and Genoese menus. It is a perfect accompaniment to delicate fish or poultry dishes and is often served at room temperature.

Seared chicken thighs render enough fat to form the base of a vinegary pan sauce, with pockets of sweetness from golden raisins.

A classic vinaigrette takes notes from sweet-and-sour Italian agrodolce, featuring tangy raisins and lightly pickled shallots.

Raisins are the unlikely star in this 25-minute pantry-friendly pasta featuring feta, olives, and (optional!) anchovies.

With pounds of dried fruit and glugs of dark rum, this is a recipe for serious fruitcake fans.

Nutty, buttery, and fruity, these traditional Sicilian cookies known as cuccidati are perfect for the holidays.