Recipe: Antonia's Raw Fruit Tart

Adapted from the Food Is Elementary food education curriculum invented by nutritionist Antonia Demas.

• 1 cup finely chopped nuts (pecans, walnuts, or mixture)
    • 1 cup dates, pitted and chopped finely
    • 1 cup coconut (flaked)
    • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
    • 2 teaspoons vanilla
    • 1/2 cup Craisins or dried cherries
    • sliced bananas and other sliced fresh fruit, such as kiwis, strawberries, plums, starfruit, grapes, pineapple, blueberries, or raspberries

Plump the Craisins or dried cherries and dates in a little warm water. Drain the water and reserve. Add the nuts, coconut, and cinnamon, and then mix, adding enough of the reserved water to make a thick paste.

Flatten the crust into a tart pan, or make a number of smaller tarts by pressing a ball of crust into a circle on smaller plates.

Add a layer of sliced bananas and gently press. Decorate by adding sliced fresh fruit on top. Refrigerate at least one hour. Enjoy!

To read Mackie's story about the Food Is Elementary program, which devised this fruit tart, and how it could help bring about healthier eating in schools, click here.