Dates with Oranges

Warm weather puts me in the mood for fruit desserts long before the stone fruits, dear to my greedy heart, are in season. But sweet valencia oranges are always available, and they make some pleasant summery and effortless combinations. This one, from Casa Moro, the second Moro Cookbook, is really not a recipe-just a good combination, and a particulary nice finish to a Middle Eastern sort of meal. It is exotic; it is refreshing; it takes no time to assemble. All good.

I appreciate that many fruits come naturally as their own little handy packages. You can put an apple or orange in your pocket. It is an excellent thing to eat fruit right off the tree or bush, warm from the sun. Somehow , though, under other circumstances, I feel fruit is more of a treat when served cut up- or on a plate, with a little knife to cut and/or peel it with. It shows that it is special, and calls attention to it. (I'll just note, for what it's worth, that eggs come in handy packages too, but we don't eat them unpeeled and whole, out of hand. I'm just saying...)

Although the book did not say so, I think this little arrangement benefits from a few hours of chilling and flavor blending, prior to serving. My tub of mint on the porch is now sufficiently bushy to allow for picking some, which is satisfying. I used pre-pitted ordinary vacuum-packed grocery store dates, and imagine this would be even tastier with fat, juicy medjools. But it's pretty good with the ordinary stuff. The rosewater is the point, so I wouldn't leave it out.

Here's all you need:

oranges 4
dates 8 to 12, pitted
rosewater 2-3 tbsps
fresh mint handful chopped, or small leaves
confectioners sugar
cinnamon 1/2 tsp
optional dried rose petals- I just didn't happen to have any of these guys around

Peel the oranges removing all of the bitter white bits. Slice thinly and arrange on a plate. Cut the dates in quarters lengthwise, and arrange over the oranges. Dust with the sugar and sprinkle on the cinnamon. Drizzle the rosewater over all and scatter the mint (and optional rose petals.) Chill for at least 1/2 hour and devour. Some juice may run down your chin, but there are napkins for that.

Comments

[Tanna]

That is wonderful. I have the mint, dates and the rose water. This will be excellent. Thank you Lindy!!

[Luisa]

I am particularly partial to your plate during this time as the colors are the same as the German team's :)

[Julie]

I had a fleeting moment of confusion when I first saw your post title and was thinking of dates in terms of going out on a date. Dates with oranges...huh? But then I saw your picture and it all made much more sense.

That does look exotic and refreshing. I need to purchase rosewater.

[lobstersquad]

That sounds straight out of 1001 nights! beautiful

[lindy]

Tanna-I was happy to discover that I already had all the ingredients. It helped that the oranges were especially sweet and juicy.
Luisa-I usually think of it as the Halloween plate.
Julie-I had a brief moment of thinking I'd do something cute with the "date" thing, but I got over it. All of my ideas were painfully unfunny. But it apparantly happened anyway.sorry.
lobstersquad-thank you. luckily, it won't keep me up for 1001 nights, unlike some richer things I have made..

[anapestic]

I'm with Julie. I thought you were finally going to confess to that torrid affair with an Oompa Loompa.

[lindy]

anapestic-A juicy tidbit? O.Lumpa could be my main squeeze. Har.

[Baking Soda]

I love dates, I used to buy great fat juicy persian ones by the box from our tiny town's supermarket at a ridiculous low price but apparently I was the only one buying them as they are not longer there anymore... Have to find another source so I can try this. Filled with soft goats cheese and honey, Yum!