Dates are quite the staple in the Middle East as well as the entire Islamic culture. An integral part of all festive occasions, dates are especially eaten during the holy month of Ramadan for both Suhoor and Iftar. Legend has it that Prophet Mohammed used to eat dates before his Ramadan fasts, and even today, eating dates at Iftar marks the end of the fasting ritual. During Ramadan, therefore, dates act as both the symbolic beginning and the end of the fast.
In Islamic culture, dates are known as the “fruit of paradise”. This is not only because these fruits taste naturally sweet and juicy, but also because they are packed with health benefits. Dates are rich in dietary fibre, vitamins A, B6, and C, and minerals like calcium, magnesium and iron. Because they are so nutrient dense and packed with natural sugars, they are an excellent source of energy—which makes dates appropriate for both pre- and post-fasting meals.
Now, if you are keeping the Ramadan 2023 fast, you could easily eat dates as they are. But, to make them more festive, you can also stuff the dates. Making stuffed dates is the easiest thing in the world. All you need to do is this:
1. Get a large variety of dates, like Mejdool.
2. Make a cut on the side and take the pit out.
3. Stuff the void left behind with fillings of your choice.
Here are 10 easy stuffings that you can whip up with ease to make stuffed dates for Iftar.
Chocolate
This one might easily become too sweet so it’s best to use dark chocolate—which is packed with many beneficial antioxidants and minerals. Those who have more of a sweet tooth can also go for options like Nutella. Take some molten chocolate in a bowl. Add chopped dry fruits and mix well. Stuff the dates and top with chocolate shavings.
Saffron Phirni
In case you didn’t know, phirni is a rice-based sweet dish which is thick and packed with the flavours of milk, saffron and dry fruits. If you already have leftover phirni, then this version of stuffed dates is super-easy to whip up. Place a spoonful of leftover saffron phirni in the dates and sprinkle some chopped pistachios. Freeze the dates before eating.
Mango Srikhand
Ramadan always falls in the summer months, when mango season also hits the Indian subcontinent. So, a mango-stuffed dates recipe is totally called for. You can easily get readymade mango srikhand to stuff the dates or make your own from scratch. Mix hung curd, mango pulp and sugar in a bowl. Stuff the dates with the srikhand and top with chopped mangoes.
Peanut Butter
Perhaps the easiest dates stuffing out there, the peanut butter you use can be chunky or smooth, depending on your choice. You can also make your own peanut butter to stuff the dates at home. Dry roast the peanuts, grind them into a paste, then stuff the dates. Top with chopped peanuts and some paprika to add another interesting layer to the dish.
Coconut Cream
This one is so delicious that you might end up making coconut cream stuffed dates well beyond Ramadan too! Cook coconut cream, sugar and cornstarch together until thickened. Stuff the dates with this mix and top with shaved or grated coconuts. You can also skip the sugar and use jaggery for a golden-brown coloured stuffing.
Goat’s Cheese
Goat’s cheese stuffed dates are quite reminiscent of the Middle East and Mediterranean, where this sharp and slightly savoury cheese variety is prepared fresh. If you aren’t a fan of overtly sweet stuffed dates, then try this one. Whisk dill, cilantro and goat’s cheese. Stuff the dates with the cheese filling and top with chilli flakes.
Puran Poli
If you have ever tasted Puran Poli then you know that the lentil-packed, jaggery flavoured stuffing used in the Maharashtrian dish tastes amazing. So, why not stuff some dates with them too? Could there be a more protein packed Iftar snack? Grind some soaked chana dal, then cook it with jaggery powder and cardamom. Stuff the dates with this filling.
Orange Cream Cheese
The flavours of a citrus fruit can be very refreshing after a long fast, so this orange cream cheese stuffed dates idea works on many levels. The flavours are quite uplifting and nuanced at the same time. All you need to do is whisk cream cheese, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, orange juice and orange zest together. Stuff the thick mixture in the dates and serve with more orange zest on top.
Baklava Style
This one is packed with amazing Middle Eastern flavours that will remind you of tasting a baklava. The stuffing is a bit dry though, so you can mix some crème fraiche or hung curd if you want. Mix hung curd, crushed pistachios, walnuts, almonds, cinnamon, lemon zest and salt together. Place the stuffing in the dates and top with crushed pistachios and almonds.
Walnut Ricotta
Ricotta has a sharp, slightly salty taste, which works brilliantly well if the dates you are using are sweet and you don’t have much of a sweet tooth. To make this date stuffing, whisk ricotta, salt, chopped walnuts and cilantro together. Stuff the dates with this filling, then top with chopped walnuts.