I have always enjoyed chef Nathan Lane. He lives in CA ( where whence I came). He competed on Food Network( did not win). He has always loved fresh produce right from the garden. He has tried to cut out sugar/white flour in some of his recipes. His carrot coconut date balls are really a treat.
https://chefnathanlyon.wordpress.com/category/all-recipes/
Spiced Carrot Almond Bites
Yield: approximately 16 balls
3 small carrots, peeled and chopped into the size of whole almonds
1 teaspoon orange zest
15 deglet noor dates, pitted
5 dried black mission figs, chopped roughly
1 tablespoon old fashioned rolled oats
1 cup toasted almonds
1 teaspoon cocoa powder
1 tablespoon grade B maple syrup
2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1-ounce good quality dark chocolate, 65-70% cocoa solids, chopped roughly
¾ cup unsweetened shredded coconut
Place all ingredients, except coconut, in a food processor and process until well combined and the ingredients stop moving about in the bowl.
Place shredded coconut on a large plate.
Using your hands, roll dough into 1-inch balls and roll balls in the coconut to coat.
Refrigerate 30 to 45 minutes to firm up before serving.