By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
Looking for a natural sweetener source that is full of nutritional benefits? Dates are a super sweet, nutrient-packed way to naturally add sweetness to your foods, and they are a great source of fiber, magnesium, and potassium! Better yet, dates grow really well in the dry Arizona desert and are in season during the months of October and November, so it’s easy to get locally sourced dates! Not only are they good in desserts, but they are also delicious in savory recipes or even just plain! 
Here are some recipes that feature dates. Enjoy!
Banana, Almond Butter, and Date Smoothie
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Dates and Walnuts
Roast Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Dates
For an even longer list of recipes that use dates, check out the recipe database on the Fill Your Plate website! Also, if you’re interested in buying locally grown dates, check out Bard Date Company or Natural Delights Dates!