6 Ways To Eat Medjool Dates From Israel

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Medjool dates are a nutritious fruit and a popular ingredient in many Israeli products and dishes. They originated in Morocco but are now commonly grown in Israel, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. These fruits are known for their large size, soft texture, and rich, sweet flavor. Here are some ways to eat them:

1. Fresh Snacks

Medjool dates can be enjoyed fresh right out of the package. They are soft, chewy, and have a caramel-like flavor. To eat a fresh Medjool date, simply remove the pit by gently pulling it out of the fruit. You can also slice the date in half and remove the pit with a knife. Medjool dates are a great snack on their own or when paired with nuts or cheese.

2. Stuffed Appetizers

Medjool dates can be stuffed with a variety of ingredients and can be served as a snack or appetizer. Stuffed Medjool dates make a great sweet or savory addition to any party or gathering. 

To make stuffed Medjool dates, start by removing the pit from each date. Fill the cavity in each half of the date with your chosen filling. Some popular sweet fillings include cream cheese, almond butter, and dark chocolate. For a savory twist, try stuffing the dates with goat cheese, bacon, or nuts.

3. Breakfast Foods

Add a few pitted dates to your breakfast smoothie for a natural sweetener and a boost of fiber and nutrients. Medjool dates also pair well with oatmeal, granola, or yogurt bowls. You can even add them to pancake or waffle batter for a sweet, unique breakfast.

Medjool dates are also popular ingredients for energy bars because they are a good source of fiber, potassium, magnesium, and vitamin B6. They are rich in antioxidants, which can help protect against damage from free radicals in the body. To make homemade energy bars, simply blend the dates with honey, nuts, and seeds and press them into a bar shape.

4. Low-sugar Desserts

Medjool dates can be a great replacement for sugar in desserts. They’re a popular dessert ingredient due to their sweet, caramel-like flavor and soft texture. They can be used as a natural sweetener in a variety of baked goods. Use them in no-bake desserts like energy balls and fruit bars to add flavor and texture. 

Date desserts are often made with a crust of oats and nuts, and a filling made by blending Medjools with water and a touch of cinnamon. Pureed dates can serve as a natural sweetener in sticky toffee pudding, cakes, and muffins.

5. Unique Salads

You can chop Medjool dates and add them to fruit salads for a touch of sweetness and texture. They pair well with citrus fruits like oranges and grapefruits and other dried fruits like apricots and figs. Chopped date salads can be added to a brightly flavored summer meal or added as a contrast to a savory winter meal.

6. Traditional Sauces

Medjool dates are a popular ingredient in traditional Israeli sauces typically used in savory dishes. The dates are often used to add sweetness and depth of flavor to a variety of sauces, from tahini-based dips to tomato-based sauces for meats. You can blend Medjool dates with water to create a sweet and flavorful sauce for dipping fruit or other snacks. Here are some traditional Israeli sauces that use Medjool dates:

Silan: Silan is a traditional Israeli sauce made from Medjool dates that have been cooked down into a thick, syrupy paste. This sweet and tangy sauce is often used as a dip for bread or vegetables.

Tahini: Tahini is one of the most nutritious Israeli products and a popular condiment in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. This sauce is made from ground sesame seeds, garlic, lemon juice, and other ingredients. Medjool dates can be added to tahini sauce to add sweetness and balance out the acidity of the lemon juice.

Harissa: Harissa is a spicy North African sauce that is popular in Israeli cuisine. It is made from roasted red peppers, garlic, spices, and sometimes tomato paste. The sweet dates help balance out the spiciness of the peppers.

Tomato-based sauces: Medjool dates can be added to tomato-based sauces for meats like chicken or beef. The caramel taste and texture of the dates pair well with the acidity of the tomatoes, creating a flavorful and well-balanced sauce.

Israeli Products: Buying Medjool Dates

When buying Medjool dates, look for plump, soft dates with shiny exteriors. They can be stored at room temperature for up to a week, or in the refrigerator for up to a month. Dried Medjool dates can be stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to six months. You can buy dates and other authentic Israeli products online from an international retailer.

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