Boston Brown Bread Recipe

6 (14- to 16-ounce) empty, clean vegetable or fruit cans
Cooking spray
1 pound chopped dates
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 cups boiling water
2 cups sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 eggs
4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup raisins

1. Preheat oven to 325F. Coat the insides of cans with cooking spray.
2. Combine dates and baking soda in a bowl. Pour in boiling water and let stand 5 minutes.
3. Combine sugar, shortening and eggs in a large bowl. Using a mixer, beat at medium-high speed until creamy. Add date mixture and flour and stir until well blended. Add nuts and raisins; mix well.
4. Fill cans about two-thirds full with batter. Bake 1 to 1 1/4 hours, until a wooden toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool in cans on a wire rack 15 minutes. Remove bread from can and place on wire rack to cook completely. Makes 6 loaves (6 servings each).

Nutritional facts per serving: 170 calories, 5g fat, 3g protein, 32g carbohydrates, 2g fiber, 75mg sodium.