Baked Apples with Dates and Walnuts

Until fairly recently, raw fruits were looked upon with some suspicion, as they were considered to be unwholesome. Most fruits from the sixteenth century onwards were cooked, and served with digestive spices – even the humble apple. The old-fashioned baked apple is a classic example, and it’s a good basic idea that just needs a little help. Usually it’s an apple scored around the middle, cored, filled with sugar, butter and a pinch of spice, and then cooked with a little water until tender.