It's a Date Girl Summer
The fiber-packed fruit is everywhere, and you might as well embrace it.
A housekeeping note: I am testing a new, juicier paid-subscriber format starting this week, so keep your eyes peeled.
Dates are not a new fruit. In fact, there is evidence that dates have been around since Mesopotamia, and it is thought that the date palm is on the oldest cultivated trees in existence. Their caramel-like flavor, and soft texture make them a win in both sweet and savory applications, and it makes sense they are so revered by so many global cultures.
More importantly, dates are both good for you, and the planet. The fruit is loaded with tons of natural fiber (the next macronutrient everyone is about to become obsessed with once they are done PROTEINMAXXING.) Date palms not only thrive in hot, arid climates, but they also are very good at carbon sequestration, aka the process of capturing and storing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. One medjool date producer claims that the carbon stored in their date palms is equivalent to the the carbon emissions of 537 flights from LA to NYC.
The fruit, namely the medjool variety, is in the midst of a bit of a renaissance, and by renaissance, I mean western cultures are finally catching up with something middle eastern and asian culture have known forever (classic!) I love that it’s nearly impossible to spend anytime scrolling on Instagram or TikTok without coming across someone making date bark, or dubai chocolate stuffed dates, or sticky toffee date baked oats. The other day, I saw a friend making a date-studded focaccia. Dates are also all over the CPG, or consumer product goods, space from date-sweetened pickles to a date-based amaro. (Saudi Dates apparently has a big showing at the Summer Fancy Foods Show that is happening currently in NYC.)
I, for one, am very happy to see it, and given the state of the world, I find myself turning intensely to small, brief joys. I grew up in a date-loving household, watching my mother take true pleasure in her ideal breakfast of a super cold glass of milk and two, plump medjool dates. It’s also the secret to a perfect tamarind chutney (you can find the recipe for that in my cookbook Amrikan), and the base of my favorite back pocket no recipe appetizer (pan-fried dates, sizzled in olive oil, tossed with cubes of feta and za’atar.)
Below I’ve put together my favorite date things and things i’d like to try —
Date Brands
I love a date grown in California’s Coachella Valley, which is so close to Los Angeles. I am partial to a date from Rancho Meladuco. I find that they grow a wonderfully creamy Medjool date (though I am curious about this box of heirloom varietals). I will also buy a box of Joolies if I cannot get my hands on the ones from Rancho Meladuco. I prefer to buy unpitted dates because I find they tend to be more plump and rarely dry out and I like to store my medjool dates in the fridge if I know I am not going to rip through the bag immediately — it keeps them fresher for longer.
Date Recipes
Vanilla Ice Cream with Caramelized Dates, Olive Oil, and Sea Salt
I’m not usually an olive oil on ice cream girlie but in this instance it makes so much sense. Perfect easy dessert for a breezy summer dinner party, too. Could also do this over yogurt instead of ice cream for a fancy breakfast.
Sticky Date Chia Pudding
I love any clever riff on chia seed pudding!
Date and Olive Focaccia
Love the salty/sweet vibe of this. Would pair with a whipped ricotta.
Date Shake
A perfect summer beverage, but you can swap the ice cream for vanilla greek yogurt if you’re looking to make it high protein (lol)
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Every once in a while the British do go hard with with culinary offerings!! I like that this one has pecans.
Date and Farro Salad
Dates are an underrated salad ingredient. So good with farro and and crunchy apples.
Peanut Butter Pretzel Date Bark
Sweet! Salty! Nutty! So much texture.
Date and Goat Cheese Pizza
I love sweet and salty pizza toppings (and yes that includes pineapple)
Cinnamon Date Sticky Buns
Perfect weekend baking project.
Date Goods
T’Amaro
Really hoping to get my hands on a bottle of this date-based amaro. I imagine the honey notes of the dates makes this really rich in flavor.
Bread & Butter Pickles
From the very fun pickled brand Good Girl Snacks! Sweetened with dates.
Cravers Hazelnut Spread
Nutella-ish, but made with dates. Perfect on toast or as a layer on some date bark.
Realsy Almond Butter Stuffed Dates
I know you can easily do this yourself but it is nice when someone else does it!
Lesley Stowe Salty Date and Almond Crackers
Every cheeseboard needs these. Perfect gift to bring to the host of a party.
Fresh Fizz Date Cola
Using dates to sweeten cola makes a lot of sense! I am very curious to try it.
Bonus, A Date Cookbook
I am very charmed by this cookbook cover. Though I have not cooked from this yet, but this feels like such a fun thing to gift someone (especially with a package of dates).
Would love to know your favorite date brands, date products, and uses for dates in the comments below!
In Saudi we had squat date palms by the local pool and I’d take them right off the tree as a snack.
Date life! I love this. So many fun things to try. I am a late-coming to dates though my husband has been eating them as a dessert forever. On my newsletter I have a recipe for date balls (not massively original) but I add sesame seeds and cacao powder, and roll them in maldon salt. Then I freeze them. The combo makes me happy especially with my morning coffee!