Apricot Protein Bites -

Celebrate the BC Fruit Harvest

February 23, 2016

by Loretta Friedrich for the Italian Centre Shop

Celebrate the BC fruit harvest with these petite dairy-free, nut-free and gluten-free gems are perfect for breakfast, snack-time, or as a raw dessert. There is plenty of protein, fibre, vitamins and minerals in every bite. Portable, clean-eating treats with a hint of crunchy sweetness. Easy to make, nutritious, and delightfully tasty!

Ingredients

Method

SERVINGS: 12-16 PIECES

1. Pit the dates, cut into four pieces each, and cover with water. Soaking them will make them easier to combine with the other ingredients. Set aside while you prepare the rest of the recipe.
   
   
2. In a coffee grinder or nut mill, grind ½ cup pumpkin seeds just until powdery. Scrape into medium bowl.
   
   
3. Grind hemp seeds in the same grinder until the mixture starts becoming paste-like, approximately 30 seconds to 1 minute. It will begin to clump up when its oil is released from the seeds. This is what you want: a hemp seed “butter-like” mixture. Add to the ground pumpkin seeds.
   
   
4. Add ground cinnamon and the reserved 2 tbsp. whole pumpkin seeds to the seed mixture. Stir well to combine.
   
   
5. Drain the dates and place them in a mini blender along with 1 tbsp. maple syrup. Pulse to chop and blend. The mixture does not need to become smooth, just somewhat blended with the maple syrup. Add the date mixture to the bowl with seed mixture in it.
   
   
6. Add the rest of the maple syrup. Use a fork or pastry cutter to combine until it begins to clump together, then use your hands to blend until a dough-like consistency. Set aside.
   
   
7. Wash all of the apricots or just what you want to use for the time being. Cut in half and pit. Place on serving plate or in a storage container.
   
   
8. With a measuring tablespoon, scoop some of the seed/date mixture on top of an apricot half. The tablespoon helps to control portion amount and to shape into roundish mounds. Adjust shape more if you like.
   
   
9. If you only want to create a few apricot bites at this point then store the rest of the date/seed mixture separate from the apricots in the fridge. Ideally the date/seed mixture is best consumed within 2 days. Note: if you have any left over mixture, then roll into balls. Enjoy!

Tip: 

The natural “line” from stem area to the bottom of the apricot. Using that as a cutting guide, slice along it all the way from the top of the stem area, around the bottom, and back up to the top. Twist each half with both hands to open the apricot up. You should see the stone on one half. Carefully extract the stone with the tip of a knife. Discard stone.