Dates are a sweet fruit that grow on the date palm. Mostly likely originating near the Persian Gulf, date palms have been a staple food source in the Middle East and northern Africa for thousands of years. They were introduced to Mexico and California by Spaniards in the mid-18th century. The name ‘date’ derives from the Greek word daktulous because of the fruit’s elongated shape. Dates are popular either fresh or dried.
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Preparation
A great snack food on their own, dates are a versatile addition to many sweet and savory dishes. Once pitted, dates are popular stuffed or chopped and mixed in with other ingredients. They are an excellent natural sweetener and an alternative to added sugars when cooking.
Storage Tips
Dates are best stored in a cool, dark pantry or refrigerated.
Nutrition
A naturally low in mositure fruit, dates are dense in valuable nutrients. Dates are a good source of Vitamin A amd potassium. They are also high in folate and dietary fiber.
Recipes
Chocolate Avocado Pudding
Nutmeg Banana Carrot Muffins with Chocolate Ganache
Provencal Winter Squash with White Beans
Quinoa Stuffed Sweet Dumpling Squash