Caramelizing the dates also softens them a bit and further increases their binding properties. (nutritionrefined.com)
first, after shaving the brussels, I tossed them with a tsp or so of melted bacon fat and roasted in a 425 oven for 7 - 8 minutes just to soften them a bit before tossing in the dressing, I also roughly smashed up the hazelnuts before adding to the bacon so we had more little crunchy bits to go around. (thehealthyfoodie.com)