Substitute for dates: Date sugar?

[Eva]

I live on an island where the only dates I have found are clearly not even passably raw. I didn't realize that at first, but tried them a while ago, could tell, felt "had" blah blah blah...

So I haven't left the island in a month or so and have no dates. Could I sub for date sugar?? If yes, any thoughts on how I would go about that?? I'm thinking maybe part raisins and part date sugar.

If anyone has any ideas, please share! I really, really wanna make the Banana Cream Pie!

[goodbeets]

I think date sugar isn't raw, but I am not certain. I like to experiment with different dried fruit and dried fruit combinations. Maybe another dried fruit would work. I often sub apricots for dates.

your other option is to mail order. The Date People are supposed to be the best.

[Eva]

Rats, I looked up another couple threads that uncertainly said they were raw... Some things are just too good to be true!

I just checked out the Date People's site. I might actually order some dates from them, but that won't help me today! I usually stock up on lots of goodies when I go off island, so I don't run into this.

Any other ideas, or does anyone else know other details about date sugar?

[beppa66]

I think your rasin idea will work if you soak them.
The apricot idea sounds good too, but will impart a different taste.

[rawgreenyogini]

You could substitute dried figs with a little agave ????

[Eva]

All right... so I used raisins and a little bit of date sugar. I hate it! Buuuuuut, my mom and husband both wiped their plates clean and asked for more. I thought they were going to start licking it like the dog would! Soooooo, there ya go.

The figs sound nice, and I even have some! I'm out of agave, but I have some on the way (two more days, says UPS!)...

In any case, the next time I make this, I'm sticking to the recipe 100%!

[Eva]

Oh and BTW Beppa, good thinking on the soaking. I did do that. :)