Sausage and Herb Stuffing

INGREDIENTS

• 3/4 pound sweet or spicy Italian sausage, casings removed
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 Granny Smith apples, unpeeled, cored and large-diced
• 2 cups medium-diced yellow onion (2 onions)
• 16 cups 1-inch bread cubes, white or sourdough (1 1/2 pound loaf)
• 2 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 1 cup chicken stock
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter
• 1 cup dried cranberries
• 1 cup medium-diced celery (2 stalks)