Za'Atar Date Truffles

Grounding. That is what this season is asking for. It's winter. It's still cold. We still want to stay outside. We're starving. There are so many things happening and (not) happening. So, I needed to make something that was going to be satisfying without an overly date-like taste. 

From an Ayurvedic perspective, our appetite is the strongest in the winter time. All of that digestive fire is concentrated in our central channel, making our digestion so strong. Sometimes it even feels like we can't satisfy it in the winter months. So, we have to find ways to support that intensity. 

The ingredients in this recipe are warming, grounding, and bring in the qualities of satiating that intense hunger, without overdoing it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I have. 

Ingredients: 

• 20 dates, soaked
• 3 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp jaggery 
• 2 tbsp tahini 
• 2 tsp za'atar seasoning
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds 
• 1/2 cup almond flour 
• 1 tsp cinnamon 
• Pinch of salt 
• Coconut flakes for rolling 

Recipe: 

1. First, you're going to blend your soaked dates with water to make a smooth paste. You can do this in a food processor. 
2. Place the the paste into a mixing bowl. Gently mix in the jaggery and the tahini. Again, mix everything well. Sometimes the tahini can clump. Using the back of a spatula can help to mash it all up together. 
3. The spices are up next. Za'atar, cinnamon, and salt. With each addition, again don't skip the mixing. It's important to make sure that everything is incorporated well otherwise the bites can get weird real quick. 
4. Lastly the sesame seeds and almond flour gets added. 
5. Let the mixture sit for just a few minutes. In the meantime pour your coconut flakes into a bowl. 
6. You are going to take your date mixture and make small bite-sized balls. Roll in coconut flakes, and that's it! 

This recipe takes no more than 15-17 minutes to make. Store your truffles in a air-tight container, and enjoy!