Date Balls from Naturally Nutritious Wholefood Cookbook

1 cup (250 ml) pitted dates

½ cup (125 ml) walnuts, cashews or macadamia nuts

½ cup (125 ml) almonds

½ cup (125 ml) desiccated coconut

¼ cup (60 ml) sunflower seeds

1 tsp (5 ml) ground cinnamon

¼ tsp (1 ml) unrefined salt

a pinch of ground or freshly grated nutmeg

1 tbsp (15 ml) tapioca syrup or raw honey

¼ cup (60 ml) purified water or apple juice

½ cup (125 ml) rolled oats (optional)

¼ cup (60 ml) toasted sesame seeds or desiccated coconut (optional)

1.  Pulse the fruit, nuts, coconut, seeds & spices in a food processor,  until well chopped, don't pulverise.

2.   Add the syrup or honey, water or juice and rolled oats - pulse for 30 seconds.

3.   Take tablespoons full of the mixture and roll into balls.

4.   Roll in toasted sesame seeds or desiccated coconut (optional).

5.  Refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Variations:

Add ½ cup goji berries or dried cranberries with the dates.

Add 2 tbsp carob or raw cacao powder with the spices.

Roll the balls in carob or cacao powder instead of the sesame seeds or coconut.