It’s Sunday and it’s tea time! Ending Malta Meat Free Week with a sugar-free but sweet treat – IMQARET! Imqaret are date slices, a very traditional street food in Malta, which are deep fried. I made a very healthy version – baked in the oven, and with no added sugars or sweeteners.
![imqaret-dates-filling](https://i0.wp.com/veggymalta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/imqaret-dates-filling-700x467.jpg)
![inqaret-raw](https://i1.wp.com/veggymalta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/inqaret-raw-700x467.jpg)
![preparing-imqaret-dates](https://i0.wp.com/veggymalta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/preparing-imqaret-dates-700x467.jpg)
![imqaret-cut-pre-baking](https://i2.wp.com/veggymalta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/imqaret-cut-pre-baking-700x467.jpg)
![imqaret-vegan-cooked](https://i2.wp.com/veggymalta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/imqaret-vegan-cooked-700x467.jpg)
Prepare the dough with 400g plain flour (sifted), 100g margarine, 150ml to 200ml (depending on the flour) mix of cold water & juice of 1 orange). Knead lightly until it comes together and place it in a fridge (covered) to rest. Now you can prepare the filling by mixing 400g of pitted dates in a pan together with 120ml water and 1 star anise until the dates partially break down. Add zest of 1 large orange, mix well and let sit to room temperature. (You can replace the star anise with Anisette, but I preferred the natural herb for a milder taste). Once filling is cold, transfer to a blender to turn it into a thick paste. To form the diamond-shaped date slices, roll out 1/4 of the dough into a long rectangle, around 10cm wide. Place 1/4 of the filling in the centre, lengthwise and brush both sides with water. Fold each side over the other, closing well. Cut into diamond shapes and transfer onto a non-stick baking tray. bake in a hot oven (180 degrees) for about 20 to 30 mins until the pastry is golden brown, and allow to rest on a cooling rackserve warm (you can dust icing sugar over them, but I omitted it) and enjoy without feeling guilty!
Ingredients
Instructions
Pics by me
#alisonskitchen #cookingwithlove #plantpower #imqaret #maltameatfreeweek
![imqaret-cooked-vegan-recipe b](https://veggymalta.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/imqaret-cooked-vegan-recipe-b-700x467.jpg)