SUGAR FREE DATES AND NUTS BURFI (DESSERT)

While dates don't appear to be particularly beautiful fruit with their brown wrinkly exterior, they are full of minerals, vitamins and other phytonutrients.  Dietary fibre in dates helps in keeping colon healthy while preventing LDL(bad) cholesterol.  The iron content in dates helps with the hemoglobin and potassium,an electrolyte, in these fruits helps control heart rate and blood pressure.

 The cultivation of dates can be traced back to 6000 BC.  However date palms, which produce these fruits, were brought by Spanish missionaries in the late1700s in U.S.A.  Medjool dates, which originated in Morocco were introduced in 1927 in America.  Not only that Medjool is a prominent variety in dates, it is the only variety which can be picked and eaten fresh.

Popular uses of dates are date vinegar, chutney, date paste is used in baked goods and they add flavor to salads as well.  

Here I have made a dessert with dates and nuts without any sugar or oil. It is not only beneficial but tastes scrumptious too. Along with dates, nuts also add to the list of health benefits.  This is so easy and simple a recipe that you can prepare in no time.

Ingredients:

2 cups dates finely chopped and pitted, 1/2 cup almonds, 1/2 cup walnuts, 1/2 cup cashews, 2 tbsp pistachio, 1/2 cup coconut powder, 2 tsp ghee(clarifying butter), 1 tsp khuskhus(poppy seeds), 1/2 tsp green cardamom powder, 1/4 cup of milk

Method:

In a food processor grind dates and milk and make a paste consistency.

Roast almonds and chop them finely. Chop walnuts and cashews also into very small pieces.

In a pan heat ghee, add khuskhus. After one minute add dates paste. Keep stirring on medium to low flame for 8  - 10 minutes or till water content evaporates.  Add coconut powder and stir for another two minutes. 

Add chopped almonds, walnuts and cashews to the dates mix. Stir well so everything gets mixed evenly. Turn off the flame.

Chop pistachio very finely in a big plate and spread them well.

When dates mix cools off, grease your hands.  Take small amount in your hands and make a cylindrical shape between your palms.  Roll this into chopped pistachio and put it aside. Repeat the same process with the rest of the dates mix.

Now wrap every roll in aluminum foil or parchment paper and put in the freezer for three to four hours to set it.

When you are ready to eat, take out of freezer and cut them into small pieces.

Serve in a decorative platter.