Ruṭab Muʿassal (Honeyed Almond-Stuffed Fresh Dates)

Ingredients

• raṭl fresh dates
• peeled almonds
• raṭl (per 10 raṭl dates) honey
• ūqiyya rosewater
• dirham saffron
• fine sugar
• musk
• camphor
• spikenard

Instructions

1. Spread half-ripe fresh dates (ruṭab) in shade and air for a day.
2. Remove each pit and replace it with a peeled almond.
3. For every ten raṭl of dates, boil two raṭl of honey with two ūqiyya rosewater and half a dirham of saffron (zaʿfarān).
4. Add the dates, stir for an hour, then remove to cool.
5. Once cool, dust with finely pounded sugar perfumed with musk, camphor, and spikenard (sunbul).
6. Pack into glass jars, top with more perfumed sugar, cover, and leave sealed until winter.