Dumb date question....

[vanbev]

I am almost too embarrassed to ask this! I am date ignorant so bear with me....

Do you need to pit the dates yourself? And if so, is there a fast way to do it?

I have honestly never bought real dates before and I am getting ready for my 100% raw change.....lol

Don't laugh at me please!

[Rawkinlocs]

Not a dumb question at all!

There are some dates that you buy (depending on where you get them from) that are already pitted (usually, but not always, it'll say so) but some dates are not pitted and therefore, you have to remove the pits yourself.

It's always a good idea to check them anyway, even IF they say they are pitted just in case as sometimes they are "machine-pitted" and they might miss some!

I've not found a "quick" way to do it, I just open the date up with my fingers and take the pit out. Just don't do what I did once when I was in a "rhythm" of pitting dates and tossing them into the processor - I ended up after a while tossing PITS into the processor and tossing the dates into the trash! :eek:

[Veganforlife]

I agree - no question is dumb - it's how we learn. I too have done the pit in the processor, dates in the compost bucket routine - ARGH!!!

[bunnybunny]

If you do buy pitted dates and use them in recipes, BE CAREFUL!! I've blended many a smoothie, syrup, etc. just to end up with one or two date pits at the bottom. Gotta be careful!

[codajess]

I asked the same question before I ever bought any dates. They're different than I imagined they'd be. They're really soft, you just pull them apart with your fingers and take the seed out. It's much easier than one would think :D

[mathteacher]

I think it was the first time I used dates, and I looked in my food processor and thought, "What are those roaches doing in there?":eek:

It was the pits of the dates!

They still remind me of bugs everytime I take them out.:p

[bunnybunny]

They remind me of roaches too lol... I try to ignore that. : )

[greenday]

It's a great question! The first time I bought them I just threw a bunch in the FP thinking they were like "big raisins"....the sound of those hard pits and the FP blade together is BAD! You'll only do that once, LOL, unless you're smart (like you) and ask! I use a small paring kife and cut them open and pop the pit out. It's sticky work, but not too bad.

[veganman]

Hi Vanbev ~

I have found that most pitted dates are not really raw...I believe they are steamed in the process of pitting. Make sure to inquire....

I find the easiest way to pit is by soaking first. Often times, the date will fall right off the pit!

[mathteacher]

OH - and I find them easier to pit after they're soaked. I soak dates even for recipes that don't call for soaking them; they blend better that way.:D

[LearningDaily]

They remind me of roaches too lol... I try to ignore that. : )

OMG, I thought I was the only one.

[vanbev]

Thanks so much everyone!

I ordered some from rawfromthefarm! Now, off to buy a FP!

[yasi]

Medjool are easy to pit with fingers, but sometimes it squishes them and then they can look like bugs in there...
I found it is easier, faster, and less messy (especially with other varieties of dates besides medjool) to grab a knife and make a quick cut down one side and then they fold open and the pit practically falls out.