The Zaghloul date tree produces dozens of dates at the end of each long, yellow stem.
They will get harvested for sale when in the khalal stage of maturity, they resemble huge clusters of crimson grapes.
Every one of these hefty dates is around 7 centimeters in length and has an elongated oval form.
They have a skin color ranging from dark crimson to burgundy with a texture and flavor similar to that of an apple minus the pit.
There are no strands of muscle in the flesh.
Zaghloul dates have a mildly astringent sweetness and hints of cinnamon and sugar cane.
In the United States, Zaghloul dates, sometimes known as Red dates, are a specialty item found only in select stores.
Dates are the fruit of the date palm tree (Phoenix dactylifera).
These dates, like barhi dates, are unusual in that they can be consumed at any of the three phases of ripeness (khalal, rotab, and tamr), albeit the first stage is the most common.
It's common in the Middle East to eat dates when they're only partially ripe, and Zaghloul dates are simply one kind of this semi-ripe fruit.
In addition to being a good source of energy, potassium, iron, and the B-complex vitamins can also be found in abundance in zaghloul dates.
They contain helpful antioxidants like tannins and polyphenols like flavonoids and are a rich source of vitamins A and K.
Calcium, sodium, and phosphorus can all be found in dates as well.
Most people consume fresh Zaghloul dates as a snack or dessert, although they can also be used raw or cooked.
Zaghloul dates are versatile; use them as a natural sweetener in salads or smoothies, or prepare them in a variety of other ways after being pitted, such as stuffed, baked, grilled, wrapped, or pureed.
You can substitute them for other types of dates in any recipe.
Wrap in bacon and bake or broil; fill with soft cheese or nuts.
Zaghloul dates can be used to make flavored syrups, baked goods, and ice cream, or they can be eaten on their own by dunking them in chocolate and finishing them with a sprinkle of salt.
You can use them to make jams and jellies.
Dates from Zaghloul will turn into the rotab stage if left out at room temperature.
They have a 2-month shelf life in the fridge whether they are semi-ripe or fully ripe.
Manual labor is required at every stage of the Zaghloul date production process.
Barefoot pickers utilize a simple rope harness with an attached basket to collect the red fruits, while most dates farmed in the United States are gathered by machine.
The little pickers, as young as 6 or 7, are taught to scale the 30-foot date palm trees in order to reach the ripe clusters of fruit hanging from the branches.
