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Rich and sweet, dates make a great addition to breads, cakes, muffins and cookies as well as salads, grains and meat entrées.
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Native to the Mediterranean and Middle East, these fruits grow in clusters on palm trees (
Phoenix dactylifera).
They have thin, papery skins that are green when unripe, and yellow,
brown, black or red (depending on the variety) when ripe. Oval
in shape, and about one to two inches in length, dates have a moist,
sweet flesh surrounding a single, long, narrow seed.
Dates contain about 55% percent sugar when fresh, and the sugar
content dramatically increases as the fruits dry. Their very sweet
flavor makes them an excellent snack. They are also included in many
dessert recipes and Middle Eastern dishes.
A Little Bite of History
Dates may very well be man's first cultivated crop. Date palm
orchards flourished near the Tigris and Euphrates rivers in ancient
Mesopotamia (now Iraq) before 3,000 BC.
Varieties
Dates are grouped into three varieties: soft, semi-soft and dry. The
semi-soft Deglet Noor ("the date of light") is the most common
commercial variety, accounting for 90% of California's crop. Favored
because they hold their shape better than soft dates, Deglets are deep
apricot orange to amber brown in color. They have a sweet, but delicate
flavor.
Other popular varieties include the soft, rich Halawy, the greenish,
caramel-flavored Khadrawy and the dry, egg-shaped Zahidi (Iraq's most
common variety).
Buying Tips
Fresh dates are available at some specialty markets from late summer
through mid-fall. Look for fruits that are plump and soft, with smooth,
shiny skins. Avoid very shriveled dates or those with mold or sugar
crystals on the skin.
Dried dates are available year-round at most supermarkets. They are
available packaged or in bulk, as well as pitted, unpitted or chopped.
Storage Tips
Fresh: Refrigerate in a plastic bag for up to two weeks.
Dried: Store in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to six months; refrigerate for up to one year.
Usage Tips
• Mix dates with granola and
coconut for homemade trail mix.
• Toss with butter
lettuce, toasted
almonds and mandarin
oranges for an elegant salad.
• Add dates to poultry stuffings for subtle sweetness.
• Use chopped dates in quick bread,
muffin and chocolate chip or
oatmeal cookie batters.
• Add chopped dates to simple side dishes like rice pilaf,
couscous,
barley and bulgur.
• Stir dates in
tabbouleh and stuff in a
pita sandwich.
Nutrition Notes
Dates are high in dietary
fiber and contain more
potassium than
bananas. They are virtually free of fat, cholesterol and sodium.
Try one of our favorite date recipes:
Bourbon-Glazed Fruit and Nut-Stuffed Pork Roast
Fruit Cake
Julie's Xmas Pudding
