Dates! Who knew?

[lauraelmore1033]

I love fresh figs. I've made a dessert focaccia by embedding cut halves of fresh figs, with grated ginger root, cinnamon, nutmeg, honey drizzle and abit of grated lemon rind with juice.

It's lovely.

that sounds very tasty

[Catrin]

I've never even SEEN fresh figs or dates before, let alone eaten them. I doubt that I can find them in central Indiana, but will keep my eye out at a couple of stores that stocks a wider variety of fruit than the norm. I love the dried figs that are available, so fresh has got to be very good. I don't care for what dates I've tried before - but of course they weren't fresh but the usual kind you find in the store.

[OakLeaf]

Unless you can get a lot better figs in Indiana than you can in Ohio, I'd pass. It's just like anything else. You know what happens if you buy blueberries from South America in December. They're mushy and tasteless and a huge disappointment when you know what they're supposed to taste like. It's the same thing with figs. Most likely with dates, too, though I don't know what a "real" fresh date tastes like.

Maybe you're lucky and can find a local grower at your farmer's market. There are actually a few fig varieties that can be grown in our climate, with some extra care in the winter time, but it's way too much work to grow them commercially in any quantity.

[Catrin]

Maybe you're lucky and can find a local grower at your farmer's market. There are actually a few fig varieties that can be grown in our climate, with some extra care in the winter time, but it's way too much work to grow them commercially in any quantity.

This is a good idea, I will do that. There are a couple of local farmer's market locations I visit - though far less frequently than I should.

[MrsOski]

my fave date "recipe": when craving cheesecake, stuff one dried date with about a tbsp of cream cheese or goat cheese. eat. restrain from eating another, if you can. I usually can't. lol

[lauraelmore1033]

Yes, I've noticed that dates go very well with cheese; A mini babybel and a date, maybe two, and I'm one contented kitty. Purrr, purrr...

BTW, i've lost 15 pounds now on WW since I started after Christmas (almost 20 in all!) so I think it's a safe indulgence

[Desert Tortoise]

Besides price (+$3 to $4/lb), what is the difference between Medjool dates and the smaller dates?

(I've looked for a name on the smaller ones but doesn't say a type like the Medjools)

Thanks,
dt