Apple Haystacks With Rose Water
Here's an easy raw dessert that takes advantage of newly harvested apples when
they're at their peak of freshness, sweetness, and juiciness. Since this dessert
requires very little preparation, it can be made shortly before serving to avoid
apples turning brown.
1 C. (237 ml) whole raw almonds
3/4 C. (177 ml) water
1/4 C. (59 ml) maple syrup
5 T. rose water
20 pitted dates
5 large, sweet, crisp apple
2 kiwis, peeled and sliced
1/2 lb. (226 g) red flame grapes
Put almonds into a food processor or coffee grinder and grind to a fine meal.
Add water, maple syrup, rose water, and dates to ground almonds in processor,
and process until dates are broken down finely. Transfer mixture to a large
mixing bowl and rinse processor work bowl.
Wash apples and core. Leave peel in tact for its excellent fiber. Coarsely shred
apples in the food processor or with a hand grater, and add to date mixture,
stirring to combine thoroughly.
Spoon out in 6 mounds onto a large serving platter.
Top each apple haystack with a slice of kiwi and a grape half. Decorate around
platter with grapes and additional kiwi slices. Distribute into dessert bowls at
the table using a spatula or pie server. Serves 6.