Raw Nutty Ginger Snack Balls with Blackstrap Molasses

This month's Recipe Redux theme was "Gadget Gifts" - a kitchen tool you adore (and would give as a gift!) plus a recipe utilizing the tool.  There are several appliances in my kitchen that I couldn't imagine living without:  a rambo blender, a food processor, and a microplane zester. 

Before I purchased my microplane I was using an old hand held grater to zest lemons & limes, and to grate ginger & garlic.  It was a long and arduous task, definitely one that I did not enjoy.  But with the the microplane, zesting lemons and grating ginger became a super-quick 30 second task.  I highly recommend this gizmo for holiday gift-giving, even if it's just a present you give yourself!

I put my favorite kitchen gadget to work grating fresh ginger for these tasty raw ginger balls.  Raw balls make a great on-the-go snack for busy students (what other kind is there?).  The flavor of these healthy treats almost reminds me of gingerbread but much much healthier.  They're high in iron thanks to the blackstrap molasses and packed with satiating healthy fats from the almonds and pecans; now that's what I call an afternoon pick-me-up :)

Raw Nutty Ginger Snack Balls with Blackstrap Molasses
Yield: 12 snack-sized balls

1/2 cup raw almonds
1/2 cup raw pecans
3/4 cup pitted medjool dates
1 tbsp fresh grated ginger
1 1/2 tsps blackstrap molasses
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
Pinch sea salt

1. Grind almonds and pecans together in a food processor till finely ground.  Add remaining ingredients and grind till the mixture is sticking together and uniform.

2. Shape into 12 snack sized balls and store in the refrigerator or freezer.

This recipe was submitted to Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Wellness Weekends, and Healthy Vegan Fridays.