CHEF JEFF — ONE BYTE AT A TIME: Date-Nut Truffles

This snack is all-natural, kid-friendly and easy to make.

Date-Nut Truffles

1 cup raw (not roasted) walnuts

1 cup dates, preferably Medjool, your softest, sweetest date

Grated zest of 1 orange

2 tablespoons cinnamon or unsweetened cocoa for rolling

Using food processor, pulse nuts briefly, so they become powdery. Add dates; process until mixture comes together like dough. Add orange zest; pulse until just combined. Wrap, refrigerate for 1 hour or overnight. Pour cinnamon or cocoa into bowl. Pinch date-nut mixture into walnut-size pieces (1 teaspoon each). Roll into balls. Roll balls in cinnamon or cocoa. Truffles keep refrigerated in airtight container for week or longer.

Yield: Serves 12.

Approximate nutritional analysis per 2 truffles: 108 calories, 49 percent of calories from fat, 6.4 grams fat (0.6 grams saturated, no cholesterol, 2 grams protein, 13 grams carbohydrates, 2.5 grams fiber, no sodium.

Grab more food tidbits at the Chef Jeff blog at GrandForksHerald.com.

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