When soaking dates...

[Alice]

do I peel off the outer skin that wants to come off after soaking, or does it matter whether I use it in a recipe? Thanks :)

[sweetgoddess]

hmm I never thought of that Alice. I don't peel them, nor have I ever read any instructions to.

[flutterfly]

You soak all of it and take out the pit after it is soaked

[Wendy]

She's talking about the papery outer skin. I've never taken it off.

[heather]

i saw some medjool (sp??) dates at costco yesterday...the label didnt say anything about additives or cooking. am i to assume they are processed or do you think they would be safe? (they were pitted and dried)

[Sharon in Colorado]

No - you do not peel them. No need to. Probably soaking it just to soften it for the recipe for easier blending. Also save the date water for your next smoothie.

[rawpriestess]

Hi,

Do not peel, unless you don't like the papery part, but I always pulverize them in a recipe or smoothie, or marinara sauce, or whatever.

I have purchased the pitted dates at costco, they are great. Have purchased the medjool dates at Safeway, and at the local produce stand, they come from the same place, so either place it is a matter of cost and cleanliness.

Costco also has raw walnuts, pecans, almonds, and pinenuts, in the baking section, although it doesn't say that they are raw on the bags. They are much cheaper than in the health food store, the reason I know they are raw, is that they sprout. However, I highly doubt if they are organic. So there maybe a trade off here.

I buy macademia nuts and brazil nuts at the health food store.

They keep them refrigerated, they are organic, and raw, and cost about $13.00 a pound for macs, brazils are less.

But the almonds, walnuts, pinenuts are all so much more expensive at the health food store, and arent' any better tasting or sprouting.

I never even tried a date before I went raw, now I love them, in just about everything.

blessings,
Rawpriestess

[Alice]

Thanks everyone for the info. At first I didn't peel off the outer skin, then I gotta thinkin maybe I should. Now I'll just toss the whole thing in skin and all. :) :p

Great idea Sharon, I never thought about using the soak water for smoothies. I'll try it. ;) :)

[JustMe]

Hey everyone! I don't know if any of you have checked out www.sunorganicfarm.com before. I wanted to start shopping there becasue they have the lowest prices that i have seen from anybody! and this is on anything, nuts, seeds, etc. they have a really great selection. their nuts are super cheap too if you buy them in the shells. and it's all organic!

[rawpriestess]

Thanks for the website info.

I usually buy at my local health food store, or costco, but sunorganic is truly a great place to shop also, at least I've heard this before.