The Muslim month of Ramadhan is nearly upon us, which is a holy month for them where they fast from sunrise to sunset, refraining from foods and liquids. I sort of look forward to it, primarily because of the influx of dried dates available at this time 😀
My dad loves these dates so I must have gotten it from him. We don’t usually get them in large quantities except for this period so this is a time when I can indulge in them. My favourite are the slightly dry ones dried on the stem but still moist on the inside. It is sweet but not unnaturally so, and has lots of fibre. I prefer not to eat the sticky sweet ones.
The reason we have a lot of it at this time is because many Muslims break their fast with these dates and some water. I however, enjoy it as a snack 🙂
Do you enjoy eating these dried dates too?
Paris B
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I like most dried fruit (raisins, mango, cranberries…), but I could never get into dried dates, which probably stemmed from me getting the grainy ones a long time ago. But the younger sibling loves the stuff, and I could do without it in my life.
It’s not just food and drink they abstain from during Ramadhan, it’s a whole slew of other things, like smoking and “impure” thoughts, etc. I don’t think I can ever fast like this – the caffeine withdrawal headaches would’ve kill me first 😛
I love dried fruits too! But my line stops at figs. I really don’t like figs 😛 But I do love dates and I know the grainy ones you mean. Urgh! Yeah I realised that Ramadhan was more than just the food & drink bit and I doubt I could do it either. Other than the coffee element, I’d shrivel up from dehydration! So kudos to everyone who does it!
nope, i don’t like dates, fresh or dried. i always avoid them in “tong shui”. i think maybe because i don’t like the taste of the date’s skin, like as though i am eating paper/ plastic, and it’s a bit too sweet!
Ooh I love red dates! When I boil my soups, I’m very generous with them because it makes the soup so sweet and then I get to eat it all up 😀 Yummy!
I’m not sure I’ve ever tried dried dates–sounds delicious though! I’m going to do some research and see if there’s anywhere I can find them around here
Look in any Middle Eastern or Oriental supermarkets. I’m sure they stock them. They are either sold loose or in boxes. Its really nice and I sometimes have a couple with my oats in the morning for breakfast 😀
i have a funny but disgusting thing to tell, so if u are eating best finish your food and keep calm before reading…
dont u feel they look like cockroaches?????
especially without the stem.. XD
in my house, we really call it cockroaches…my dad loves them, and we love to make him feel disgusted…
the not so fun thing is……………after a while, he got used to it LOL
LOL!! No I actually don’t think they look like cockroaches (thank God!) I will most definitely look properly at them again the next time I buy a box hehe…
yes they do when they are packed in rows…….shiny in blackish brown…rows of ahem…
the elongated type that can fly!
have i disgusted u? XD
Err yes, considering I hate roaches >.< But I still don't see it HAHA! Maybe coz I buy the brown dry ones not the shiny ones. Those creep me out all by themselves (because I never know if they are bad or if its just like that 😛 )
ah that is why…my mum always got the shinny ones!!
i must brainwash her to get the drier ones from now on!!!!!
haha so the shinny ones has creep u out before u relate them to roaches..
thing is, i am very very very very very scare of cockroaches….
i jumped (no kidding!) EVERY TIME when my mum says: hey there’s cockroach on the table.
hate how it backfired… XD
I don’t enjoy this type because it’s always too sweet!! chinese dates maybe yes.
Don’t get the sweetened ones, Jean. Those are nuts and my teeth hurt! I get the dried sweetened ones and its lovely 🙂
I’m Muslim and I really, really dislike these, which is unfortunate T__T I’ve only ever had them on their own though, so I might try them in soups and oatmeal to see if they work for my tastebuds. Another plus about Ramadhan (for everyone!) is all the yummy food that pops up in pasars :>
Aww Raz its a pity you don’t like these dates. Try chopping them up and eat with oats. I have it for breakfast. Yum! I must agree about the yummy Pasar Ramadan food! I love picking up all the delicious food in the evenings 🙂
I agree with Plue, I don’t like the dried skin. I avoid them in soups that mum boils, they’re the first to be picked out before I start enjoying my soup 🙂 Mum loves dates in soups and desserts, according to her, dates provide “real sweetness”.
I’m with your mum Jennifer!! (damn! Now I feel old 😛 )
I prefer the fresh dates (moist and plump) that you see at the fresh food section of supermarkets. I eat dried dates too, of course. It can get addictive. 🙂
Oh yes getting fresh dates is quite a luxury but a nice one 🙂 can’t wait to go pick up a box of these to snack on!
I love dried dates too, the good ones are moist inside and not too sweet. I’m the only one who eats it in the family, so a box will last a while because I’ll only eat 2-3 pieces at a time.
Oh yes, I can’t eat too much either. I don’t do sweetened ones, those are just teeth achingly sweet!
Tunisia dates with branches like Paris B just bought is not too sweet… me too like it very much.
To be exact: buy Yusof taiyob (Safiya)
Haha Yusof Taiyob is the most famous brand here! Thanks for the rec, Mona. I never pay attention to which ones I buy but now I will look for Safiya 🙂
Hye Paris…do you one some? I can post some for you..my hubby is going for umrah next weekend..so the dates will be coming from Arab itself..if you want give me your address okay..since I am so lovingly loyal to your blog…might as well gives you some and share with your dad…hehee
Ah Laila, you are too sweet!! I’ll drop you a line in a couple of days 😉
Like Raz I am a muslim and I hate dried or undried dates 🙂 And yes fasting is a hard thing to do especially during summertime. I always have headaches because of hunger and sun, and here is another tip about fasting you can’t have drugs during fasting time either!
Oh yes, I realize there are a lot of restrictions, as my friends have told me. I totally respect all of you for doing it, and doing so well out of it 🙂
I’ll have at least 5 piece of dates when I break my fast. ^^ I love the Sunsweet dates. Like you, my favorite is also the slightly dry ones that is dried on the stem, and not too sweet. Have you tried the new Yusuf Taiyoob date? The one that has almond on the inside (seed removed) and covered with chocolate? It is kinda sweet but still nice.
Yusof Taiyoob has new dates? I haven’t tried the dessert chocolate covered ones but I hear they are really good. Maybe I’ll try it this year 😀
I love dried fruit (especially mango, strawberries and pineapple), but I especially love cooking with dried dates!
Cooking with dried dates? That’s a first for me! I must look up a recipe – that isn’t putting it in oatmeal 😛