DOUGH:

1 c. shortening
2 c. brown sugar
3 eggs, well beaten
4 c. sifted flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. vanilla

FILLING:

2 1/2 c. chopped dates
1 c. sugar
1 c. water
1 c. chopped nuts
Salt to taste

Mix dough ingredients. Chill dough in refrigerator overnight. In saucepan, mix dates, sugar and water. Cook until thickens. Cool, then add nuts and salt. Separate dough into 4 parts. Roll out dough and spread with date mixture. Roll like jelly roll. Chill or freeze (I prefer freezing). Slice thin, bake at 300 degrees for 20 minutes. If cookies are in air tight containing, cookies will get more moist as days pass. I always prepare them at least 3 days ahead of time.