Date Rolls (Paleo & SCD)

What do you eat when you are away on holidays?  I don't know about your family, but in mine, we tend to go a bit crazy when we are away.  We sometimes go out for meals, but mostly we stock up on special things at the supermarket and cook wherever we are staying.  The kids love it!  We get a trolley or two and I tell them to get whatever they like.  :)  They love finding tiny versions of peanut butter, mayonnaise, jam and tomato sauce.  They grab different cereals than we usually have and they always grab some thick raisin bread.  Yum!  Then we get to the frozen aisle and they get so excited about the desserts.  I have wonderful kids and they always ask if it's OK to throw in these three types of danish- since they are on special. :)
Since I've had to change what I eat, the first couple of times we did this shopping trip on holidays were difficult.  I was sad I couldn't join in the chocolate feast or eat the Maxibon ice creams that were our tradition.  Now that it's been over two years on SCD, I think I'm used to it.  I love seeing their pleasure at trying some different foods and I find some treats that I can eat.  I've bought exotic fruits that I don't buy at home and I always treat myself to some fresh dates and nut butter.  
This year we went to Merimbula for our summer holiday.  We had an awesome time doing lots of active things like kayaking, golfing, bike riding and swimming.  So a treat at the end of the day was very well deserved!  I was so pleased to find containers of Date Rolls in the supermarket.  I think we ate three packs (or was it four?) in the seven days we were there.  Since the ingredients on the pack were only dates and coconut I thought I'd give them a try....
These are lots of fun to make.  A great one for little kids to help with!  And fabulous for the lunch box. :)


Date Rolls
Prep time: 15 mins
Makes: about 24

Ingredients:

450g (1lb) Medjool Dates

1/2 cup desiccated coconut

1/2 cup flaked almonds 

Instructions: 

1. Spread the flaked almonds into a fry pan and cook over a medium/low heat until lightly browned. 
   
2. Chop the browned almonds in a food processor.
   
3. Put the dates into the food processor and process until they form a ball.
   
4. Divide the date ball in half.
5. Put half the date mixture onto a large piece of baking paper.
6. Using your hands and the paper, form the date mixture into a long sausage.  Lots of squeezing and rolling!
7. Add the chopped toasted almonds to the paper and roll to coat.
   
8. Repeat for the second ball of date mixture, rolling in coconut at the end.
   
9. Chop each roll into pieces.
10. Eat!
11. Store in the fridge or freezer.  :)