Spring training inspired snacks to fuel game day
Spring training is a time-honored tradition that kicks off not only baseball season but spring itself, especially in the Valley of the Sun! Spring training games take place all over the valley, knocking baseball fever out of the park! Whether going to a game this season or simply watching them at home, Sphinx Date Co. offers some healthy, wholesome and hearty snacks to get fans through game day from first bat to the ninth inning.
Energy baseballs — Pitted dates can be easily stuffed and formed into round “baseball” shapes and then coated with a white yogurt topping that hardens. Using red icing, draw stitching around each ball once the topping has hardened. For an alternate energy ball idea, mix oats, nut butter of choice, protein powder, seeds( like chia, flax or sunflower), a drizzle of honey or maple syrup and chopped dates. Mix all ingredients to form small, one-inch balls and allow them to set in the fridge. Then drizzle with white and red yogurt topping (or candy melts) or dip and decorate them.
Pop fly Popcorn — Easy to bag up and eat on the go, popcorn is literally a blank canvas that can be dressed up in a million ways. How about sprinkling with cinnamon and sugar, or drizzling with dark chocolate and mixing in a few peanut butter chips and roasted peanuts?
Bases Loaded Baked Potato — Everyone has seen the viral sweet potato “teacher lunch” that offers a quick, on-the-go meal of a sweet potato stuffed with hunks of German cheese. Sphinx Date Co. offers a twist to this easy on-the-go lunch. After baking the sweet potato and letting it cool as directed, stuff it with cheese hunks of choice, as well as a few spoonfuls of chopped dates, chopped bacon and green onion or chives.
Pinch-hitter Pear Cups — Cut fresh, ripe pears in half length-wise, then scoop out a little of the center to create a small well. Then fill the well with ingredients of choice — such as brie cheese and date or fig jam, pistachio cream and dark chocolate chips, or Greek yogurt, coconut shreds and pomegranate arils. For an on-the-go version, form the halves back together and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
Ballpark Date Dogs — For those that like to toe the line between sweet and salty snacking, why not try a date dog? You can do so by stuffing cooked mini cocktail sausages (like Little Smokies) into fresh, halved and pitted dates. Drizzle with a sweet and tangy BBQ sauce. Who needs the bun? Spring training is all about great baseball, great weather, and, of course, great snacks! Whether headed to the ballpark or watching at home, stock up on delicious provisions at the Palm & Pantry or online anytime!