She Strengthens

Unleash the Flavor of Exotic Dates in Your Cooking

Dates have been a prized ingredient in Middle Eastern and North African cuisine for centuries. Native to hot, dry desert regions, these sweet fruits are now grown in California, particularly around Palm Springs. The semidry varieties grown in California are naturally dried and used most often for cooking and eating.

Medjool Dates: The Perfect Ingredient for Chutney

Medjool dates stand out for their deep red color, thick flesh, and rich flavor. With little fiber and high sugar content, they provide just the right sweetness to balance the tanginess of vinegar and curry in our chutney recipe.

Chutney: The Ultimate Flavor Enhancer

Chutneys add a depth of flavor when mixed with grains, vegetables, or served over rich-tasting fish or poultry. They’re an ideal accompaniment to elevate your dishes.

Medjool Date Chutney Recipe

Yields: Approximately 2 cups

Gather Your Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh ginger root, peeled and finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon fresh hot red chile, finely chopped, or crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 2 pints fresh Medjool dates, coarsely chopped (substitute 2 cups dry dates)
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/4 cup golden raisins
• 1 ounce brown sugar
• 6 ounces red wine vinegar
• 2 ounces tawny port wine

Cooking the Chutney

Place a medium-sized stainless steel saucepan over medium heat. Add olive oil and sauté onions until soft but not colored. Then, add garlic, ginger, and chile, and continue cooking for 2 minutes. Next, add dates, curry powder, raisins, sugar, vinegar, and port wine, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, stirring often, for approximately 20 minutes or until the liquid is reduced to a syrup.

Serving and Storing

Serve the chutney at room temperature or slightly warm to release the full flavors of the fruit. Store, covered, in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. The chutney can also be canned and kept, unopened, for several months.