Not, I'm not talking about the retro movie theater candy that'll take your molars out. I'm talking about the fruit, also known as the Chinese date, which has recently been popping up as an ingredient in upscale American restaurants. Jujubes were first cultivated in China about 4,000 years ago; they now grow across Asia, the Middle East, and in the southern and southwestern United States. The immature fruit is green and tastes like an apple, but turns red as it reaches maturity. Older jujubes are wrinkled and purple, resembling dried plums. Jujubes are said to have medicinal properties, doing everything from curing sore throats to making people fall in love. Jujubes can be used like apples in pies or cakes; older fruits work well in Moroccan-style chicken or lamb dishes as a substitute for prunes or apricots.
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