This fusion of many Sephardic recipes makes an extremely realistic "mortar." The nuts and spices can be varied to suit individual tastes.

Ingredients

　　20 pitted dates, preferably Medjool

　　3 bananas

　　1/2 cup golden raisins

　　1/4 cup sweet red wine such as Manischewitz Extra Heavy Malaga

　　3 tablespoons date syrup (silan) or honey

　　1/2 cup walnut halves, toasted

　　1/2 cup unsalted shelled pistachio nuts (not dyed red), toasted

　　1/2 cup whole almonds, toasted

　　1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

　　1 teaspoon ground allspice

　　1/2 teaspoon ground ginger

　　1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

　　1 teaspoon ground cloves

　　In food processor, purée dates until smooth. Add bananas, raisins, wine, and date syrup and process to combine. Add walnuts, pistachios, almonds, cinnamon, allspice, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves and process until smooth. Store, covered, at room temperature until ready to serve.

　　Note:

　　Sweet kosher wine is available at www.queenannewine.com.

　　Kosher for Passover silan (date syrup) is available at www.kosher.com.