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1
Wash the dates well, peel them if you wish, and put them in a pan with water to cover (about 4 1/2 cups) and the lemon juice.
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2
Bring to the boil and simmer, covered, for 1 hour, or until they are soft, adding a little water, if necessary, to keep them covered.
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3
Lift them out of their water with a slotted spoon, and when they are cool enough to handle, push the pits out with a skewer or knitting needle.
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4
You will get the knack of doing it without breaking the dates.
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5
It helps to press them tightly in your hand.
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6
If you like, replace each pit with a blanched almond through the same hole.
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7
Add sugar and cloves to the date liquor and bring to the boil.
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8
Simmer for a few minutes, until the sugar is dissolved, then drop in the dates and cook for a further 2030 minutes.
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9
Lift the dates out carefully with a slotted spoon and put them in a clean glass jar, burying the cloves among them.
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10
Thicken the syrup by boiling until it coats the back of a spoon or sets when tested on a cold plate.
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11
Pour over the dates, let cool, and close the jar tightly.
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12
These dates are also delicious stuffed with pieces of candied orange peel; use about 1 cup.
