sugar poached dates

the late summer heat

has me dreaming of all things moorish

exotic spices

grassy mint tea

souks with dark corners

shrouded in

silk -thread canopies

and
gorgeous sweets

like these

sugar poached dates

look for fresh dates in your local ethnic grocery store

(armenian, middle eastern, east indian)

they look like this

fresh dates have a pleasant albeit astringent taste

the longer they sit on your counter
the softer and sweeter they become

but
they are meant to be eaten as is

dried dates are sweet and chewy and are great fodder for

nuts, cheese and other salty bits

these fresh dates

are really best left plain

or 

poached to soft submission

the process is lengthy

but i promise

the reward is
a pot full of
golden
amber fruit

stuffed with nuts

in a pool
of rich treacle

heady with spice

sugar poached dates

this recipe takes 2 days to complete

(printable recipe)

step 1

100 fresh dates--peeled

water to cover

3 Tbs orange blossom water
parchment paper
100 non-pareil  almonds

place the dates in a pot large enough to hold the dates and water enough water to cover. you will want the water to come about 1 1/2 inches higher than the top of the dates. add the orange blossom water.  cut the parchment paper to a round that will fit just inside of the pot, and then cut a small 1/2" circle out of the middle of it. place it on top of the water and simmer the dates, about an hour,  until they are soft but not gushy.(the parchment paper will keep the dates submerged in the water. drain and let cool--discard parchment. using a small knife cut a slit in the date and remove the pit. do not cut completely in half, just enough to remove the pit. 
replace the pit with an almond, and close the date around it.

step 2

3" lemon peel-pith removed
3" orange peel-pith removed
1 cinnamon stick
4 green cardamom pods--lightly crushed
1 Tbs lemon juice
1/2 vanilla bean
3 Tbs honey
1 Tbs orange blossom water
3 cups water
3 cups sugar
place all ingredients in a heavy pot.  cook to dissolve the sugar. add back dates and simmer on low for 30 minutes.  turn off heat and let sit 12 hours or overnight-covered--once cooled, place in the refrigerator


step 3
remove the dates from the syrup once again, reserving and measuring syrup.  add enough water to make 5 cups.  however much water you added, add an equal amount of sugar. (example, if you needed to add 1 cup of water to equal 5 cups total syrup, then also add 1 cup of sugar). stir
add back the dates and simmer, very gently, until the syrup is very thick and dates are a nice amber color. this may take 1 to 2 hours. do not just let it boil away--keep a good eye on it.  the syrup should not get any more dense than corn syrup.

serve as is
or
sprinkle grated pistachio nuts and dress with gold leaf
place a few over a bowl of plain yogurt
or
serve with a simple lemon tea cake
i can't help but think these would make a delicious
amuse bouche
before a colorful
moroccan meal
of
cumin and carrot soup
lamb tagine
and
lemon couscous

salaam