Apple and Date Balls

DIRECTIONS

• Halve and core the unpeeled fruit and place in a large, heavy saucepan.
• Caste iron is good.
• Add the dates, apple juice and ground cinnamon.
• Cook over very low heat, stirring occasionally for 4 to 6 hours, or until the mixture forms a dry paste.
• Scrape into a bowl and cool, then roll the mixture into bite size balls.
• Toast the nuts under the broiler until golden.
• Coat the balls in the nuts.
• Twist each ball into a candy wrapper or cellophane; plastic wrap can be used.
• Store in an airtight container.
• Variation: Use half ground cinnamon and half ground ginger instead of the 1 teaspoon cinnamon.