The World of the Date

As you may have guessed by now, I have a serious sweet tooth (see entries on baked goods, one on cookies, and Jacob's entry on sugar, meant - perhaps - to curb my infrequent cheating by munching a girl scout cookie...) Macrobiotics has been a real challenge to that beloved part of me that cries, "dessert! chocolate! Something SWEET, please!" after every meal.

I've tried baking many macrobiotic desserts -- from Jessica Porter's Crispy Treats (click on this link to go to a very entertaining video of the Hip Chick herself making these tasty creations) to my own macro-ized versions of cookies and muffins. But, I must say - that nothing compares to a very simple sweet created by Mother Nature herself... the date.

Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree, which originated in northern Africa. I was first introduced to the wonderful world of the date when I was working at a North African restaurant in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The owner, from Algeria, served dates for dessert with walnuts and a sprinkling of powdered sugar. One of my favorite customers used to order the dates "naked". Taking her cue, I decided to try one out - and I was hooked. These little fruits are the absolute perfect satiation to my seemingly-never-ending sweet tooth. Nothing compares to their texture, aromatic flavor, and perfect balance of sweet -- never too much. Really. I can not satisfy my sweettooth with evil refined sugar - but one little date does the trick perfectly. It's truly a gift from the Goddess.

Because dates have a high tannin content, they are used for cleansing the body, as well as to sooth intestinal troubles. They have been used in traditional medicines for centuries (the first evidence of date cultivation is from 6000 BC!) These wind-pollinated plants are now grown all over the world in warm climates. Now - I realize that I'm being hypocritical here - and that my other posts boast the benefits of local-eating... but when it comes to my sweettooth is it really hard for me to let go, and unfortunately I don't live in a very arid part of the world. I will have to find some carbon-setoff that I can participate in so that I can continue to satisfy my sweettooth with this most perfect of fruits.