Roasted Dates Stuffed with Pine Nuts in Honey

From the volumes of Apicius, this splendid yet curious ancient dish from 1st century A.D. Roman brings together the tastes of honey, fruit, and nuts that can be served as a dessert after dinner.

• Preparation Time: 20 mins
• Cooking Time: 10 mins
• Total Time: 30 mins
• Calories: 225 Calories

Ingredients

• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste
• ½ cup crumbled Gorgonzola cheese
• ¼ cup honey, or as needed
• 1 cup toasted pine nuts
• ½ cup white wine, or as needed
• 2 cups dates - pitted and cut lengthwise to the center
• 1 cup honey, warmed
• ½ cup slivered, toasted almonds

Recipe Instructions

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a baking dish.

Step 2

Soak pine nuts in a bowl with white wine and 1/4 cup honey to infuse flavor, at least 30 minutes. Drain.

Step 3

Mix Gorgonzola cheese and pine nuts together in a bowl. Spread dates open slightly; season the inside of each date with black pepper. Spoon Gorgonzola mixture into each date. Season the outside of each date with salt.

Step 4

Arrange stuffed dates in a baking dish. Cover with 1 cup honey.

Step 5

Bake in the preheated oven until warmed, about 10 minutes. Transfer cooked dates to a serving platter. Garnish with almonds.