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Date Tamarind Meatballs with Sukkari Dates | Middle Eastern-Inspired Recipe 

Discover a flavorful twist on classic meatballs with these Date Tamarind Meatballs featuring Natural Delights Sukkari Dates. Tender beef meatballs are simmered in a rich, glossy sauce made with sweet Sukkari dates and tangy tamarind concentrate, creating the perfect balance of savory, sweet, and bold Middle Eastern-inspired flavors. Finished with warm spices like baharat and sumac, this comforting dish pairs beautifully with rice, pita, or your favorite sides for an unforgettable meal.

Recipe by Shadi HasanzadeNemati 

Ingredients

  • Meatballs
  • 2 lbs ground beef (93% lean)
  • ⅓ cup breadcrumbs
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 onion, grated
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ cup chopped parsley
  • 1 tsp baharat
  • 1½ tsp sumac
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Sauce
  • 8 Natural Delights Sukkari dates, pitted
  • 2 cups hot water, divided
  • 4 tbsp tamarind concentrate
  • Salt & pepper, to taste

Find "12 oz Organic Pitted Medjool Dates" in a Store

Preparation

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F.
  2. Add all meatball ingredients to a bowl, mix well, and form about 24 meatballs.
  3. Bake for 20 minutes.
  4. Soak dates in 1 cup hot water for 10 minutes, discard the water, then blend with tamarind and 1 cup hot water until smooth
  5. Transfer sauce to a pan, add salt and pepper and simmer over medium heat, thinning with water if needed.
  6. Add the meatballs to the sauce and cook for 15 minutes, spooning sauce over them so they stay tender.
  7. Serve with rice or pita.

*While Medjool dates are high in natural sugars, they are low on the glycemic index thanks to a balanced amount of soluble fiber. The complex carbohydrates found in Medjool dates are digested at a slower rate, making them a source of dietary fiber and releasing energy to the body over a longer period of time.

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