SPICY DATES CHUTNEY​

I don’t think I need to elaborate on the nutritional benefits of dates. Everyone knows that besides being a powerhouse of nutrients. fresh & dry dates instantly conjour up images of the desert for most of us. The Date palms is also probably the oldest cultivated tree by man. The desert people, the nomadic Bedouins in particular lived on dates and camel milk for months on end. It is also as per tradition that during the holy month of Ramadan, the fast is broken with dates during Iftaar

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Spicy Dates Chutney
You Need:

• 12 seedless dates
• 1/2 green chilli finely chopped * see notes
• 1 inch ginger
• 4 cloves
• 3 tbsp vinegar
• 1 level tsp sugar
• pinch of red chilli powder * see notes
• pinch of turmeric
• 1/4 tsp hing (asafoetida)
• 1/4 tsp methi powder
• 1/4 cup water
• salt to taste

For the seasoning

• 2 tbsp oil
• 3-4 curry leaves
• 1/4 tsp mustard seeds

Method:
1. Cut the dates into small pieces. Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan or kadhai and toss in the curry leaves, chopped green chillies, ginger & garlic. Saute on a slow flame for a few seconds. Toss in the dates and give it a stir.
2. Turn off the flame or reduce it to a bare minimum as you toss in the powders (chilli pwd, turmeric, hing, methi) and fry quickly taking care not to burn the powders.
3. Add the vinegar and a little water & mix well. Bring the mixture to a boil. Add the salt & sugar and keep stirring till well incorporated.
4. Serve as a chutney or refrigerate for further use.
Notes:
I call this a chutney as I added water to make the sauce. Originally this recipe is called a dates pickle and calls for 1/2 cup oil – I wanted to reduce the oil & hence used just 2 tbsp of it.
If you like more spice in your chutney/pickle, increase the green chillies & red chilli powder as per spice tolerance