Date Squares

Y. Nagahiro

• 1 lb. dates
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 2 tsp. grated orange rind
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• Pinch of salt
• Juice of 2 large oranges
• 1/4 c. water
• 2 c. quick-cooking oats
• 3/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar
• 2 c. flour
• 3/4 tsp. baking soda
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 c. butter (keep 2 tsp. for pan)
• 2 Tbsp. water
• 1/2 c. chopped nuts

Combine dates with next 6 ingredients. Bring to boil. Cook slowly stirring frequently until thick (about 10 minutes). Cool. Sift flour with soda and salt. Add butter and blend well. Add brown sugar and water. Work until smooth about 2 minutes. Stir in oats. Knead if necessary to blend. Spread half of dough on buttered 9×13-inch baking pan. Spread date mixture over oatmeal layer in pan. Cover with the rest of the oatmeal. Press in walnuts. Bake at 350 degrees 30 to 35 minutes. Cool in pan. Cut in squares. Keeps for days.