Stuffed Dates

This recipe is from Habeeb Salloum, "Classic Vegetarian Cooking from the Middle East and North Africa"

1 lb. whole dates, pitted
1/2 c. coarsely chopped walnuts
3/4 c. half and half
2/3 c. sugar
1 T. orange-water flower
4 T. cocoa
1 cup shredded coconut spread in a shallow dish.

Slit dates on one side, stuff with walnuts.  Press closed and ste aside.
Boil cream in small pan.  Add sugar and melt, add orange-flower water and cocoa and, stirring constantly, cook over medium heat 5 minutes.  Remove and cool.

Dip Dates in Cocoa syrup, roll in coconut and place on serving tray.


VARIATION:

Cream cheese, sugar to taste, crystallized ginger, chopped.

Slit dates, stuff with cream cheese mixture.