Stuffed Date Pintxos

After living in Bilbao, we love our pintxos. While they are commonly made up of a small bread base and then a topping on top stuck with a toothpick, these pintxos are a bread-free version straight from the Basque. Super easy! Yum!

16 whole dates 

1 slice of Swiss, Manchego, or vegan cheese, cut into 1/8 inch strips

16 small whole almonds

Slit each date end to end, remove pit. Place a strip of cheese and an almond inside each one and press shut. Can be stuffed and chilled ahead of time, but bring to room temperature before serving.

*A less healthy (but super delicious) option is to leave out the almond and wrap with either bacon (American version) or Spanish Serrano ham, baking or broiling until meat is cooked.