Imqaret (Date-filled Snack)

Ingredients

• •400 grams flour
• •1 tablespoon lard
• •1 tablespoon margarine
• •1 tablespoon sugar
• •1.2 kilograms dates, pitted
• •1 orange peel, grated
• •1 tablespoon anisette
• •1 tablespoon orange flower water
• •1 pinch ground cloves

Directions

1. 1To make the dough, rub the lard into the flour. Add the sugar and mix. Moisten with anisette and orange flower water until you can form a soft dough.
2. 2Next prepare the filling. Mash the dates and mix with the cloves, orange peel, anisette and orange flower water. Note: If the dates are hard, soak in water for about thirty minutes to soften. Drain before using.
3. 3Roll the dough out into a long wide strip and spread the prepared filling on the top half of the dough to form a layer about a quarter of an inch thick. Wet the edge of the pastry and fold over to cover the filling. Press all edges well together to seal. Cut into diamond or rectangular shapes (about 3.5 x 2.5 inches.) Fry in deep hot oil until golden in color. Let drain and eat while still hot. Enjoy.