Dates

The date palm has been cherished for millennia in Iran, western Asia, and north Africa for its succulent fruit, which is said to have 360 uses. Among the products made from it are flour, wine, soft drinks, and molasses.

Dates are most commonly used in the cooking of southern Iran, where the molasses is used as a sweetening agent while the fruit is used in rice dishes, pastries, breads, stuffings, salads, and pickles. I have included excellent recipes throughout the book that incorporate both dates and date molasses.