Chorizo-Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon

A few months ago, I had the pleasure of trying this awesome appetizer at a restaurant in Downtown Chicago. I've made bacon-wrapped dates before, but I usually stuff them with almonds. Well, those are good...but these are GREAT! I've heard them called paleo candy. Whatever you want to call them, they're delicious! I made enough for a party. All 50 dates were gone within 30 minutes! Feel free to scale this recipe as needed.

Adapted from http://myhusbandcooks.wordpress.com.

Ingredients
50 medjool dates, pitted (I used extra large dates that I pitted myself.)
2 pounds nitrate-free, thick-cut bacon
1 pound fresh bulk chorizo sausage (Don't use the pre-cooked links, but if you can't find bulk, just remove the casing.)

Preparation

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Slice each pitted dates lengthwise using a paring knife. 
3. Fill date with a small scoop of sausage. I used a baby food spoon to scoop.
4. Lay bacon out on a cutting board and stretch it so that each piece is about 1/3 longer than when in the package. I used a pastry roller to roll the bacon out.
5. Starting at one end, roll the bacon around a date so that it is covered 1 1/2 times. Cut the bacon and place the date, seam side down, on a rack fitted into a rimmed baking sheet. Continue rolling the dates until done.
6. Bake for 45-60 minutes or until bacon is cooked.



Use a small spoon to fill dates.



Filled date



Wrapped date



Place dates on a rack set in
a rimmed baking sheet.