• 1 teaspoon baking soda 
• 1 cup boiling water 
• 1 cup chopped dates 
• 1 egg 
• 1 cup brown sugar 
• 1 cup chopped nuts 
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 1/2 teaspoon salt 
• 1 1/2 cups all purpose flour 
• 1 tablespoon melted butter 

Dissolve baking soda in boiling water and pour over dates; let cool. 
Beat egg; gradually add brown sugar, beating well after each addition. 
Add to cooled date mixture and mix well. 
Stir in chopped nuts, vanilla, salt and flour. 
Add melted butter and mix well. 
Pour into greased 8 1/2 x 4 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch loaf pan and bake in a moderate oven (350F) 50 to 60 minutes.