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Find dried dates at grocery and health food stores. Remove the pit Chop dates Soak dates to soften them before blending.
In general, dates can either be found in the produce aisle, or located with other dried fruit (such as raisins and prunes). Most of the time dried dates will be sold in packages, but some stores may sell them by weight. . Many dried dates will already be pitted, but some will not. Look carefully at any packaging to see if your dates have been pitted or not. If there is no packaging, cut open 1 date to check. To remove a pit, make a lengthwise slit into each date. Use your fingers to wiggle the pit free and remove it. Even in packages of pitted dates, you will occasionally come across a pit. Watch out for this to protect your teeth! into smaller pieces. Steady each date with your non-dominant hand, and use a sharp paring knife to slice it lengthwise. Then turn the strips sideways and cut across them. Add chopped dates to oatmeal, salads, and other recipes. If you are adding chopped dates to salads or oatmeal there is usually no need to soak them. Prior to blending dates for smoothies, dates balls, or other recipes it is a great idea to soak them. This softens the dates and allows them to release even more of their sweet flavor. Place dried dates in hot water for 10 minutes prior to using, or soak them in room temperature water overnight.