Dates

This is a bucket of dates. This is the normal sized bucket - there are larger ones and also 10 pound flat-packed dates in clear plastic bags. This is date season and it is WONDERFUL! I was quoted two prices for this bucket from two different vendors. One guy said $16 and the other guy said $7. This is one of the reasons shopping takes FOREVER...prices vary so much!

Everyone can flavor their dates however they like.....this one has sesame seeds.....I've seen fennel and cumin as well.

This part of the world subsisted on dates and camel milk and the very occasional meat product cooked underground since biblical times. Now the have access to all sorts of food but mainly eat meat and rice for lunch (Biryani for those who know) which is actually an import from India. Their "arabic" food is actually what you would see in Lebanon or Iraq. Very very delicious!