Cut date in the middle as a line with a knife, remove seeds.

In a saucepan bring 2 cups of water to a simmer (we need it as a steam to cook the date).

Place date in a metal colander and put it above the saucepan without touching the hot water.

Cook in a steam water for 20 minutes. When it soften, remove from steam.

With a food processor or a fork mash the date, add water and melted butter and continue mashing until smooth and mushy dough. Remove any large white fibre.

Use it immediatlyas a filling for date cookies, date squares or ma’amoul. Or cover with plastic wrap and reserve in a cold place until using it. If you want it to last for more than a month don’t add butter until the day using it.