Pistachio Date Bites (also Coconut Date Bites)

Tomorrow I both have a potluck at the UU church and a drive to Louisville to visit my friend Pam.  Visiting Pam includes the fun of planning our meals and bringing food.  I'm making these date bites for both the potluck and the road trip.  I found the recipe at http://zaatarandquinoa.com/2014/01/21/pistachio-date-bites/, and I made one batch rolling the bites in crushed pistachios and a second batch rolling them in desiccated coconut.

INGREDIENTS

20 pitted dates

1 Tbsp almond butter (any nut butter will do)

1/3 cup crushed pistachios or desiccated coconut (that was more than needed)

COOKING INSTRCTIONS

In blender or food processor, blend the dates and nut butter until smooth, about 2 minutes (mine formed a dough after a little more than a minute).

Form the mixture into balls (you can grease your hands with a little olive or coconut oil if dough is too sticky - I didn't need to).  Roll the balls in the pistachios or coconut and freeze for 20 minutes.  Uneaten bites can be stored in the refrigerator.

Nutritional information:  Makes about 18 bites, per bite = 41 calories, 1.3 g fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 0.3 mg sodium, 7.6 g carbs, 1.0 g dietary fiber, 0.7 g protein