Raw Coconut/Carob Balls

Not long ago I posted about finding some raw food at the farmer's market. I loved the spinach dip so much I made some of my own "Raw Mayonnaise," the link will take you to my post on it. Well I also bought some coconut and carob balls which I also enjoyed so much I had to make my own.

I searched the internet for recipes and settled on one I found at Vegetarian Times. However, they call them date balls with carob and coconut. To long for me, I like my title better.

It calls for a food processor which I do not own, so I tried to use my blender, which I have done before. Well not such a good idea for this recipe, to many dry ingredients, but I found a way to make it work.
  
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Raw Coconut/Carob Balls

Makes approximately 16 balls, takes about 30 min, with a food processor.

1 cup pitted dates (18-20)
1 1/2 cups raw almonds
2 Tbsp carob powder
1 cup shredded coconut
1 Tbsp vanilla

Place dates in a bowl and cover with 3/4 of boiling water for 15 min. and drain.

Process carob, almonds, and coconut until finally chopped, add dates and vanilla. Process until dates are chopped and mixture clumps together.

Spread additional coconut flakes on cutting board or plate, roll mixture into balls, and roll in coconut.

First let me say that I misread the instructions, and soaked the nuts instead of the dates, which didn't seem to make much difference.

I added everything except the dates to the blender. Then I added the dates, but the blender would no longer blend. Everything went into a bowl, where I found some of the nuts unchopped.

I picked through the mixture with a spoon, and put some dates, and nuts through the blender a little at a time. Some of the nuts I put through the blender on their own. It took longer than it would if I had the right equipment, but they tasted great, better than the ones I had from the market.

My teens loved them, and thought there was chocolate and sugar in them, nope. These will be made again, if you have a sweet tooth, and looking to avoid sugar this is your solution. I find them to be very rich, and consuming 2-3 at a time satisfies. Think how festive these will look on your buffet or table for Christmas, or whatever holiday you celebrate during December.

Have to make some to send to my daughter in Tennessee. Okay I need to buy a food processor as many raw recipes call for it, any suggestions?