2 tsp. grated orange rind
1/4 c. orange juice
1 3/4 c. boiling water
2 c. pitted dates, cut up
2 tbsp. shortening
3/4 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs
3 c. sifted all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 c. chopped walnuts

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 9 x 5 x 3 inch loaf pan. Grate orange rind; reserve. Pour orange juice and boiling water over dates; let stand until cool. Beat shortening, sugar, and eggs together until well blended; add to cooled date mixture. Sift flour, baking soda, and salt together. Blend into date mixture. Stir in nuts and reserved orange rind. Pour into prepared pan. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes or until cake tester inserted in center comes out clean. Remove from pan; cool completely on wire rack.