Chicken, steak, hamburgers and the like are classic on the grate. Don’t get me wrong, they taste incredibly good! Nevertheless, sometimes it’s great to shake things up. That’s why we developed our grilled date and feta skewers recipe. It is both smokey, rich, tangy, and crunchy. Have we piqued your interest and your cravings? Read below to find out more.
Our Recipe for Grilled Date and Feta Skewers
Dates aren’t on our menu very often. That’s one of the reasons why we didn’t really know much about them, until we wrote this recipe and took a closer look at the stone fruit. Boy, were we missing out!
They originally come from the Middle East and North Africa, where date palms have been growing for millennia. Experts still refer to them as the “bread of the desert” because they used to be an energy-rich food source in dry areas. Today, they are also cultivated in regions like California, Mexico, and even Australia.
No matter where they grow, these little treats hang in impressively large bunches on date palms up to 100 feet high. The fruits ripen slowly and need warm, sunny weather. There isn’t one harvesting season and dates are even harvested at completely different stages: from crisp, unripe to fully ripe, and super juicy. Which, we have to admit, the latter of which we fully adore.
Their special flavor is particularly well-suited for grilling. The heat caramelizes the date’s natural sugar. This gives them a smoky note and an even more intense aroma. This creates a unique blend of sweet and salty mix when combined with ingredients like feta and pistachios. Once you have tried our grilled date and feta skewers, you’ll never be able to get enough!
To make this recipe perfectly, we also have a few more ideas for you on what to serve with the grilled date and feta skewers. A classic mint-yogurt dip, hummus, or baba ghanoush are always a formidable. Te combination of fresh mint and citrus aromas pair perfectly with the sweet and salty skewers. Add some pita bread will add a nice neutral rounding off to the meal!
Tabbouleh, an Middle Eastern salad made from bulgur, fresh herbs, tomatoes, and lemon, would also pair well with this meal. Or, serve the skewers with a colorful mixed green salad with pomegranate seeds, walnuts, and a simple dressing. Hungry yet? Then get grilling!
If you liked this recipe, try our other recipes made for the grill: Our turkey-mango skewers makes for a potent match of flavors. Our ricotta dip with roasted strawberries is a must at barbecues and brunches alike. And if you’re looking for an unexpected dessert, then our grilled bananas recipe is a must. Enjoy!
Grilled Date and Feta Skewers
Equipment
- 8 Skewers
Ingredients
- 1 cup feta
- 1 organic lemon zested and juiced
- 16 dates pitted
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 pinch of ground cumin
- 2 tbsp chopped pistachios
- fleur de sel (or flakey sea salt) to taste
Instructions
- Cut the feta into cubes. They should be small enough to fit inside the dates.
- Wash the lemon with hot water. Zest and juice it.
- Stuff the dates with feta and then thread them onto the skewers.
- In a bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, cumin, and chopped pistachios.
- Brush the skewers with the mixture and let them marinate for about 10 minutes.
- Grill the skewers until the feta is lightly browned and the dates caramelized.
- Remove the stuffed dates from the skewers. Serve them on plates and drizzle with the remaining marinade. Season with fleur de sel, or sea salt, to taste.