Shavua Tov!
They are here- This years Sweet Organic Dates from Kibbuts Samar!
Right in time for a sweet Chanukka.
Lots of intresting latkes recipes.
Sweet, sweet and low in calories
Dates in our country are taken for granted, perhaps because they've accompanied us since biblical times. Date palm branches adorn our national symbols and represent abundance. The date palm also has traditional significance in Christian and Islamic symbology.
However, dates are also known for their health properties. Dates are unique indeed. They are sweet sweet yet considered healthy for the teeth, but the fat percentage is very low (0.02% in dates compared to about 25% in chocolate) and therefore its caloric value is about half that of chocolate. Also, you won’t believe it, but it has been written that dates are dietetic.
Moreover, dates contribute to nutritional balance and prevent obesity because of their high dietary fiber content. The rate of absorption of date carbohydrates in the blood (glycemic index) is medium to low and therefore they give a feeling of satiety.
The date is a real natural health snack. It is a whole food, ripened on the tree naturally (without the need for any processing) filled with minerals such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, iron and zinc. They are rich in vitamins A and B and antioxidants.
The date honey, Silan, is, according to many scholars, the honey mentioned in the Bible. It is not the honey from bees, which we call honey.
From Where and how?
The dates’ origin is probably from Iraq (once called Mesopotamia) and the tree likes to grow in desert conditions. In Israel most of the date palms grow in the Jordan Valley and the Arava. Israel is a huge exporter of dates to Europe.
The dates we get are organically grown in kibbutz Samar. Here is a short video showing the gadid (date harvest ) there. The harvesting staff is made up of local residents and volunteers only.
The process of growing dates begins in January-February by gathering male flowers which are used to fertilize the female flowers. During the spring when the dates are still small the branches of fruit are thinned and in summer the bunches are tied and wrapped. Early fall the harvest begins and a little later they arrive to us.
So what is your preferred Samar date?
Zahidi
A date of medium size, light color and relatively dry.
The richest in fiber and iron. Its taste is similar to Dekel Nur.
Dekel Nur
Elongated, semi-soft texture and light color. Originated in Tunisia.
The composition of sugars creates its unique nutty aroma and flavor. It is rich in fiber and iron and has an especially high anti-oxidant reaction.
Barhi Dvash (honey)
Small brown fruit, very soft, toffee-caramel flavor, mushy and rich.
They are soft and mushy, easy to peel and work with and are therefore suitable for children.
We still have a bit of last year's Zahidi dates – they keep very well! Even in the days of the Greeks and Romans, dates were exported from the country, and a lot was written about their durability and taste. The Zahidi from last year are sold in cartons of 5 kg and at a great discount. So come on, there is not much left.
May it be a sweet week !!!
And the sky full of rainmaking clouds….
Happy Chanukka
Lavrioot!
Yours,
The garden staff and maggie.
In our organic vegetable baskets are expected (draft only):
lettuce
Beets
Fennel
Radishes
Spinach
Cucumbers
Tomatoes
Sweet potatoes
Pumpkin
Broccoli
In the large organic vegetable baskets, also:
Dill
Celery
Rocket
Cabbage
Organic fruit baskets:
Oranges
Sweeties
Clementines
In the large organic fruit baskets, also:
Bananas
Carambolas
