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Roman Stuffed Dates

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By Snejana Andreeva

on Feb 28, 2025, Updated Nov 02, 2025

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Let’s step back in time to the era of the Gladiators with this recipe for Roman Stuffed Dates, or Dolcia Domestica, a dish that was a favorite among both elites and commoners of Ancient Rome 🏛️. The recipe for these peppery stuffed honey dates , courtesy of @eatshistory, first appeared in a 5th-century Roman cookbook 📜 titled De Re Coquinaria , or “On the Subject of Cooking.”

  • Why You’ll Love Roman Stuffed Dates
  • How to Prepare
  • Nonna’s Tip 🪄
  • Variations and Substitutions for Roman Stuffed Dates
  • Roman Stuffed Dates Nutritional Highlights
  • Similar Recipes
  • Best Served With
  • Common Questions
  • Roman Stuffed Dates Recipe

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Much like modern-day sporting events ⚽︎, food vendors would traverse the steps of the Colosseum selling this popular snack. They were so delicious that they transcended social class and became a favorite among spectators, from senators to stone masons. Think of them as the Ancient Roman version of candy bars 🍫 – small, sweet, and easy to eat while watching the spectacle unfold. They became a staple of the street food culture that surrounded the Colosseum , as integral to the gladiatorial games as popcorn 🍿 is to movie theaters today.

Why You’ll Love Roman Stuffed Dates

Get ready to take a bite 🫦 out of history with these Roman Stuffed Dates! A handful of energizing ingredients creates the perfect combination of flavor and texture, making it easy to see why this recipe has endured the centuries.

Chewy, caramel-like Medjool dates are stuffed with a chunky mixture of ground pine nuts and walnuts 🌰 for the perfect crunch . A hint of course-ground black pepper balances the sweetness of the dates that are finished in a bath of warm honey 🍯. Crunchy, chewy, sweet, savory and warm, Roman Stuffed Dates are rustic and simple to make – with all the elevated flavors you’d find in an elite treat 👑.

How to Prepare

🥜 Add the nuts into a mortar and pestle . You can also do this in a food processor if you want to save on time.

A close-up of a hand using a mortar and pestle to crush pine nuts and walnuts. The mortar and pestle are made of dark, speckled stone, and the nuts fill the bowl, catching the sunlight. - 3

⏭️ Next, crush the nuts until fine. Add the pepper and stir.

🔪 Now, make a cut on each date in the middle and take out the pit. Fill each date with the nut filling.

A hand using a pestle to grind nuts in a stone mortar. Crushed nuts fill the mortar, with some scattered on the table. The background is a brown textured surface. - 4

🍳In a pan, warm up the honey on medium heat until it’s super thin but not bubbling.

A hand is placing a stuffed date into a dish with several other dates. The dates are filled with a crumbly light brown mixture and are resting in a shallow layer of olive oil. The background surface is a textured brown. - 5

🍯 Lastly, take the pan off the heat, add in the dates and baste them with the honey. Serve and enjoy!

Nonna’s Tip 🪄

If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, feel free to use a food processor instead.

Dates stuffed with a nutty mixture are arranged on a plate with fresh greens and sprinkled with pine nuts. The dish is served on a textured, light-colored plate with a wooden background. - 6

Variations and Substitutions for Roman Stuffed Dates

  1. Feel free to use any type of nuts 🥜 or seeds you like, such as pecans, almonds, and macadamia nuts.
  2. Add your favorite cheese, such as goat cheese or feta, to the stuffing for a creamier texture.
  3. To switch up the flavor profile, you can add a hint of spice such as cinnamon or cayenne pepper 🌶️ for a bit of warmth.
  4. If you prefer a less sweet version, reduce the amount of honey 🍯to let the savory flavor of the nuts and pepper stand out.
  5. If you don’t have a mortar and pestle, grind nuts and black pepper together in a food processor instead.

Roman Stuffed Dates Nutritional Highlights

Roman stuffed dates were considered the 5th-century version of a Snicker’s bar. But did you know this sweet treat is packed full of nutrients? Colosseum events were often an all-day production featuring opening acts leading up to the main event. Spectators needed energy to sustain them throughout the day. Enter: Roman Stuffed Dates. They’re small enough to easily carry, DELICIOUS, and packed with enough nutrients in one small bite to keep you Colosseum strong!

  • Dates are an excellent source of energy ⚡️ with some pretty amazing health benefits. The natural sugars and fibers work together to help you feel energized without crashing.
  • Dates are also high in potassium and magnesium, which promotes healthy muscle function 💪 – great for long periods of standing.
  • Walnuts and pine nuts may help regulate blood pressure, which is perfect if your favorite Gladiator is losing 😜.
  • Honey 🍯 and black pepper have antibacterial properties – especially beneficial if you’re standing shoulder to shoulder with 85,000 screaming fans.

Similar Recipes

A plate of Chocolate Covered Dates, some cut open to reveal a creamy peanut butter filling, sprinkled with bits of sea salt and crunchy nuts. - 7 A plate of Chocolate Covered Dates, some cut open to reveal a creamy peanut butter filling, sprinkled with bits of sea salt and crunchy nuts. - 8

Chocolate Covered Dates

40 mins

A plate of chocolate-covered dates sprinkled with crushed nuts and colorful toppings. One of the dates is cut open, revealing a green filling. The plate is on a light wooden surface. - 9 A plate of chocolate-covered dates sprinkled with crushed nuts and colorful toppings. One of the dates is cut open, revealing a green filling. The plate is on a light wooden surface. - 10

Dubai Chocolate Dates

1 hr 3 mins

A ceramic plate filled with Bounty Dates—chocolate-covered treats, some whole and others cut open to reveal a white and caramel-colored filling—topped with flakes of sea salt. - 11 A ceramic plate filled with Bounty Dates—chocolate-covered treats, some whole and others cut open to reveal a white and caramel-colored filling—topped with flakes of sea salt. - 12

Bounty Dates

15 mins

Best Served With

  • Roman Stuffed Dates pair well with your afternoon coffee ☕️ or tea 🫖.
  • Create an assortment of date-centric desserts with Bounty Dates , Dubai Chocolate Dates , and Cheese Stuffed Dates .
  • Create an Italian 🇮🇹 themed snack with stuffed dates and this Italian Sushi Recipe .

Common Questions

Of course. While this historic recipe dates back to the 5th-century written as is, feel free to use whatever nuts you have on hand.

Why not! Feel free to add goat cheese or feta to these stuffed dates for that extra bit of creaminess.

A food processor will work if you don’t have a mortar and pestle. Just make sure not to over-grind the nuts.

If you wish to change the flavor profile, feel free to add a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne to the stuffing mixture for a bit of warmth.

To adjust the sweetness and let the savory flavors of the nuts and pepper shine through, simply reduce the honey to taste.

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Video

Equipment

  • ▢ Chefs Knife
  • ▢ Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • ▢ Cutting Board
  • ▢ Ceramic Pans
  • ▢ Mortar and Pestle
  • ▢ Mini Food Processor

Ingredients

  • ▢ ¼ cup walnuts
  • ▢ ¼ cup pine nuts
  • ▢ ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • ▢ 10 Medjool Dates , pitted
  • ▢ 3 tbsp honey , or spicy honey

Instructions

  • ▢ Add the nuts into a mortar and pestle . You can also do this in a food processor if you want to save on time.
  • ▢ Crush the nuts until fine. Add the pepper and stir.
  • ▢ Make a cut on each date in the middle and take out the pit. Fill each date with the nut filling.
  • ▢ In a pan, warm up the honey on medium heat until it’s super thin but not bubbling.
  • ▢ Take the pan off the heat, add in the dates and baste them with the honey. Serve and enjoy!

Nonna’s Notes

My Notes

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Roman Stuffed Dates

Equipment

  • Chefs Knife
  • Measuring Cups + Spoons
  • Cutting Board
  • Ceramic Pans
  • Mortar and Pestle
  • Mini Food Processor

Ingredients

  • ¼ cup walnuts
  • ¼ cup pine nuts
  • ½ tsp ground black pepper
  • 10 Medjool Dates pitted
  • 3 tbsp honey or spicy honey

Instructions

  • Add the nuts into a mortar and pestle . You can also do this in a food processor if you want to save on time.
  • Crush the nuts until fine. Add the pepper and stir.
  • Make a cut on each date in the middle and take out the pit. Fill each date with the nut filling.
  • In a pan, warm up the honey on medium heat until it’s super thin but not bubbling.
  • Take the pan off the heat, add in the dates and baste them with the honey. Serve and enjoy!

Video

Notes

Nutrition

Roman Stuffed Dates https://themodernnonna.com/roman-stuffed-dates/ February 28, 2025