Power date ball

gredients:

• 1 cup whole dried pitted dates (about ½ pound)

• 2 tablespoons water

• 2 tablespoons (real) maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 1 tablespoon organic tangerine peel (orange can be substituted)

• ¼ cup blanched almonds, chopped

• ¼ cup date sugar (or less)

Directions:

Chop the dates finely. Mix the dates, water, syrup, vanilla, and tangerine peel in a small heavy skillet and cook over low heat for 10 to 15 minutes or until all the water has evaporated off and the dates are a thick mass. The thicker it is, the easier it is to work. Stir in the almonds and let cool. When cool, form into 1 inch balls (you can grease your hands with a bit of ghee, but basically you’re going to get sticky with these). Roll the balls in date sugar (to get them dry enough to serve).