Dates

The date palm has been cherished for millennia in western Asia for its succulent fruit, which is said to have 360 uses. Products made from dates include, flour, wine, soft drinks, syrup (dates are 50 percent sugar) and medicine for chest and other ailments. In addition, the pits can be ground to make a coffee substitute, and the sap can be fermented to make a toddy.

For eating and cooking, you will find three kinds of dates. Soft dates, harvested when unripe, are a delicious fruit just for eating; you will find them in specialty groceries. Semi-dry dates, from firmer varieties, are more syrupy and intense in flavor; the most widely sold U.S. variety is Deglet Noor. Dry dates are sun-dried on the trees, and are very firm and sugary. These hold their shape best—I prefer to use Medjool dates—in cooked dishes. Both semi-dry and dry dates are sold in supermarkets.