How do you feel about dates? No, not the outing you go on to get to know another person. The dried fruit you may confuse with prunes. If you were like me, you might not think much at all of them.



I've had bacon-wrapped dates. And devils on horseback. But beyond that, I didn't know much. So, when a place in Scottsdale popped up as a must-visit for foodies, and their main item was dates, I was intrigued.

Sphinx Date Co. Palm & Pantry features locally crafted food & gifts specializing in Arizona grown Medjool dates, local food, wine, & Date Shakes.



Medjool dates are a large, sweet cultivated variety of date. It is a soft, toothsome fruit with an orange-yellowish flesh and jammy, sweet center. They are REALLY good. They are so sweet, it's almost as if you're eating candy.



You can eat them by themselves or you might find them pitted and stuffed with fillings such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, candied orange and lemon peel, tahini, marzipan or cream cheese. At this market, they even sell date shakes. I tried one, and it was fruity and sweet. I don't know that I would have been able to put my finger on the particular flavor, but it was all delicious.



Plus, I loved looking through all the local-to-Arizona products that were in the shop, including s'mores, nuts, hot sauces, and more.



Grade: A