Hospitality.
I will never forget stepping into my room at Hotel La Mamounia in Marrakech back in 1991. I wasn’t used to being in hotels at all, much less one of the finest in the world. The staff was incredibly warm, and took us on an historical tour of the hotel. We saw the suites in which Franklin Rosevelt, Charles de Gaulle, and Winston Churchill stayed. Once in my room, I found a welcome fruit basket to behold; it was overflowing with clementines, dates, and nuts — and probably other things that I cannot remember. I found hospitality like this throughout Morocco.
Fast forward to May of 2023 when I returned to Morocco after 32 years. So much has changed in the world, but the warm hospitality I encountered in 1991 hadn’t changed at all. Upon arrival at each riad, we were greeted with mint tea and nibbles while our passports were recorded. In the stunningly beautiful Riad Myra (Fès), a tiered plate of cookies, sweets, and dates awaited us in our room, reminding me of my earlier visit to the country. We will be returning to Riad Myra next May.
The dates they served were stuffed with sweet almonds, and that gave me an idea for stuffed dates. A little marzipan does the trick to make these irresistible bites, which are perfect with afternoon mint tea, for dessert after a meal, or as a midnight snack.
~ David
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FEL!X
September 14, 2024 at 4:31 amNice memories of the «Mamounia» for me as well! Thank you to remember me!
Cocoa & Lavender
September 14, 2024 at 5:59 amIsn’t the hospitality just wonderful there (and in all of Morocco), Felix? I’m glad to have brought back nice memories for you.
Mad Dog
September 14, 2024 at 5:50 amThey look stunning and I bet they taste delicious too!
Cocoa & Lavender
September 14, 2024 at 6:00 amThanks. Yes, they are delicious, Mad Dog, but they are also addictive. Stopping after one or two is near impossible.
Barb
September 14, 2024 at 6:57 amWhat a marvelous way to serve dates, they sound delicious and look very tempting!
David Scott Allen
September 14, 2024 at 7:36 amThank you, Barb! One thing I really like is that one of them is so satisfying… I can stop then and not overdo!
angiesrecipes
September 14, 2024 at 10:45 amLove that you even made marzipan from the scratch and the crisscross pattern is nice too. They look fabulous.
Gerlinde de Broekert
September 14, 2024 at 12:06 pmI definitely have to try this recipe. I loved Marrakech.
Jeff the Chef
September 14, 2024 at 1:41 pmIt sounds like you’ve had some stunning visits to Marrakech! I love dates, and have never had them this way. Thanks for the recipe!
sherry
September 15, 2024 at 1:18 amI love the sound of this paste David. Not a massive fan of dates so I’ll have to think of another dried fruit or similar :=) Dates bring back some childhood memories and not in a fabulous way …
cheers
sherry
Ronit Penso
September 15, 2024 at 10:10 amDates and marzipan are so perfect together! I’m very familiar with this type of sweets, as they are very popular in Israel, where there is a large community of Moroccan Jews, who brought with them this fabulous cuisine, and the kind of hospitality you’ve experienced. I really like your quicker version of marzipan, as mine is quite time consuming, so I don’t always have it at hand. Will definitely make it soon! 🙂
Pauline McNee
September 15, 2024 at 4:49 pmThese look perfect David, and I just know the marzipan would taste delicious. I admire how meticulous you have been with scoring the marzipan on each date. Marrakech sounds so exotic and inviting. I always enjoy hearing about it from you.
Ben | Havocinthekitchen
September 16, 2024 at 1:17 pmOoo, this sounds and looks amazing! I’m a huge fan of both dates and marzipan, but I’ve never paired them together. This must be super sweet yet utterly delicious and tempting!
Inger
September 18, 2024 at 3:14 pmLovely, though I’m not a marzipan fan–my mother would have been over the moon. Hmm what else could I stuff a date with…