Description
Fresh dates are delicious eaten just as they are, with a cup of coffee or mug of tea alongside to cut the sweetness. That said, there are many other ways to enjoy them, from savory appetizers to sweet desserts. Before any type of preparation, though, you first need to remove the pits. Simply slice the date lengthwise and the pit will easily pop out.
Fresh dates can be sliced in half and placed on top of toast that has been spread with honeyed ricotta cheese, or the fruit can be chopped up and sprinkled over ice cream. You can also serve them pitted and stuffed with blue cheese as a simple appetizer, or as part of a tagine, the Moroccan slow-cooked stew. Or, of course, dates play a big role in baked goods, adding sweetness and texture to cakes, breads, and cookies.
Dried dates can also be eaten as is as a snack, or you can chop and toss into salads or sprinkle on top of hot oatmeal. You can also blend them into a smoothie—they just need to be soaked in hot water for 10 minutes to reconstitute first.
