Coconut Date Balls

If you are Jewish, then your grandmother probably put out a tray of dried fruit and nuts every holiday.

Most of the kids ignored this tray, except for me. I was a food pioneer long before Stacey Snacks!

There were always lots of figs, prunes, dried pineapple, apricots, chocolate covered nuts and these delicious date things called "date nut rolls".
A mixture of dates and nuts rolled in coconut and pressed w/ an almond in the center.

I loved them so much, I would get a stomach ache from eating so many.

I was thinking about them the other day, why don't I see them anymore?

Why not make a version of them and eat them with coffee and wine?
And that's what I did. (I had them w/ espresso and with red wine).

I would consider them a healthy snack. No added sugar, only the sweetness from the dates.

I used unsweetened coconut and whole almonds.

It's so easy, I will make them all the time.

A great little tidbit to serve w/ cheese and olives.

Here's how:

about 1 cup of pitted dates
about 1 cup of almonds with skins on them (roasted are fine)
1 cup of unsweetened coconut

Pulse the dates and nuts in a food processor until it forms a paste. I left my nuts on the crunchy side, so under-processed them just a bit.

You will have a sticky mess, so wet your hands with cold water.

Spread the coconut out in a pie pan, and roll the date nut paste into balls and then roll in the coconut.

I tried this a few times. I made a version w/ a thumbprint in the center and a piece of dark chocolate......I did it also w/ a piece of candied ginger in the center.

I liked all versions equally.....so you decide, but they are absolutely delicious just as balls.

:)

Keep in the fridge until ready to serve.

Enjoy.