Baked Whole Fish with Dates

Dates, of course, are a staple food of the Sahara and many other deserts; they grow on palm trees, keep forever, and, to nomads, are far more important than any bread product. But only in coastal North Africa and parts of the Middle East does date country meet the sea and a dish like this come about.

Substitute prunes for dates if you prefer.

A simple pilaf, chosen from among those, would be great here, as would