Moroccan cuisine · Desserts & Sweets

Halwa Dyal Tmar

Date confections with walnuts and almonds, bound with orange blossom water and rolled in sesame.

Ingredients · for 8 servings

• 500 g dates (Medjool)
• 100 g walnuts
• 100 g almonds
• 2 tbsp orange blossom water
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 pinch salt
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 100 g sesame seeds

Instructions

1. Halve and pit the dates and chop coarsely; if dry, soak in hot water for 10 min and then drain well.
2. Toast the walnuts and almonds in a dry pan over medium heat for 4 min until fragrant, then chop coarsely.
3. Toast the sesame seeds in the same pan for 2 min until light gold and pour onto a flat plate for coating.
4. Blend the dates with cinnamon, salt, olive oil and the orange blossom water in a food processor into a tacky, glossy paste that pulls away from the sides.
5. Knead in the chopped nuts by hand and roll the mixture into about 30 walnut-sized balls — damp hands prevent sticking.
6. Roll each ball all over in the sesame seeds, chill for 1 hr until firm, and serve in paper cups with mint tea.