Incredible Ingredients…Date Palm by Nathalie Kyrou

The leaves and wood of the Date Palm tree have had a multitude of uses across the world over time but the oval-cylindrical fruit, which grows off the tree itself, is just as important. Dates have always been a valuable, traditional crop in the Arab world, and they are mentioned numerous times in the Quran. Not only are dates popular in Islamic countries – where they form part of a traditional first meal when the sun sets during Ramadan – but they are also widely cultivated in southern California and Arizona.

When unripe, these small fruits can range from bright red to bright yellow in colour, depending on the variety. Dates can be eaten out-of-hand or may be pitted (stoned) and stuffed with fillings such as nuts, candied orange and lemon peel, tahini, marzipan or cream cheese. They can also be chopped and used in a range of sweet and savoury dishes. Dates can also be processed into a paste, or powder (date sugar) and even vinegar. Date palm sap can also be used to make palm syrup and alcoholic beverages. One of the most delicious ways to enjoy the flavour of the date is to drink what the Lebanese call Jallab: date syrup in a glass of crushed ice, topped with water and some pine nuts. Even young date leaves can be cooked and eaten as a vegetable, and the finely ground seeds of the fruit can be mixed with flour to make bread. The flowers of the date palm are also edible – the buds are used in salads or ground with dried fish to make a condiment for bread.

Medicinally, dates have several uses, and a traditional belief is that they can counteract alcohol intoxication. As the fresh fruit are also a premium source of vitamin C and energy, stock up now to ensure you are never left without a date!