A Year-Round Guide to Franklin and Nantahala

2 cups nuts (any kind) Pinch of salt (omit if using salted nuts) 1 cup dried, unsweetened cherries 1½ cups dates (whole or pieces) ¼ cup Shadow Springs Vineyard Dark

Rosemary and Goat Cheese Strata

2 cups nuts (any kind) Pinch of salt (omit if using salted nuts) 1 cup dried, unsweetened cherries 1½ cups dates (whole or pieces) ¼ cup Shadow Springs Vineyard Dark

Cherry Chocolate Date Nut Truffles

2 cups nuts (any kind)
Pinch of salt (omit if using salted nuts)
1 cup dried, unsweetened cherries
1½ cups dates (whole or pieces)
¼ cup Shadow Springs Vineyard Dark Shadow wine or another red blend
½ teaspoon almond extract
½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 cup flaked coconut

Place nuts, salt, cherries, dates, wine, and extracts into a food processor. Pulse until fruit is finely chopped. The mixture will be a sticky paste. Put mixture into a bowl and incorporate chocolate chips by hand. (At this point, the mixture can be kept for several days, covered, in the refrigerator.)

Toast half of the coconut in a nonstick skillet or on a microwave-safe plate. In a small bowl, mix toasted and untoasted coconut flakes.

Pinch mixture and roll by hand into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in coconut and refrigerate until firm. Keep chilled until ready to serve.

Tip: You can use any single kind of nut, but this is a great recipe to use a mixture of leftover nuts. And although not necessary, toasting them will add another layer of flavor.

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This story was published on May 04, 2015

Wendy Perry

Wendy Perry is a recipe developer, personal chef, and Franklin County native.