Moroccan Charoset Date Balls

InPamsKitchen 

Every year I host the second seder for Passover. Friends and family not only gather to partake in the seder and wonder who will find the afikomen, but they also try to guess the theme of the seder. Yes, theme – my seders are replete with traditional foods such as matzo ball soup, chicken, and tzimmes, but they take on a geographical flair. My husband and I pick a city or country and base our dinner around the flavor profiles associated with the chosen destination. The culinary motif is not shared in advance, leaving our guests to discover what they’ll be dining on when they arrive. 

Moroccan charoset date balls are a flavorful variation of the traditional charoset served during Passover. While Ashkenazi charoset is often made with apples, walnuts and wine, Sephardic charoset is typically a blend of fruits, spices and nuts, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the traditional Sephardic region. 

In this recipe, dates are the key ingredient providing a natural sweetness and a sticky texture. Almonds and walnuts add a crunchy contrast to the sticky, soft dates. The result is a delicious sweet and spiced bite-sized charoset ball that reminds us of the mortar the Israelites used when they were enslaved in Egypt. 

Moroccan Charoset Date Balls 
Yield:   12 balls 

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup walnuts 
1/2 cup whole almonds
1 cup pitted dates
1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 
1/2 cup golden raisins 
1 teaspoon sugar 
1 tablespoon red wine or grape juice 

Directions: 

1. In a food processor, add nuts, dates, allspice, raisins and sugar. Process until mixture is finely chopped. 

2. Add grape juice and process until mixture becomes sticky and clumps together. 

3. Divide into 12 portions (about 2 tablespoons each), and roll into balls. 

4. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. 

5. Serve chilled or at room temperature. 

Refrigerate any leftovers in an airtight container for up to three days. 

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Glendale resident Pam Stein is a Chronicle food writer, known to thousands of online followers as the voice of InPamsKitchen. Stein’s recipes have also been featured in The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles and AARP The Magazine. For more recipes and ideas, follow @inpamskitchen on Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter) or TikTok.