Instructions:

1. Dissolve 3 teaspoons baking soda in the 2 ¼ cups boiling water. Soak the 1 ½ cups pitted and chopped dates in the water and baking soda solution for about 30 minutes.
2. Mix 2 cups white sugar and 3 tablespoons butter or margarine together. Blend in the 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, dates, 1 cup chopped walnuts, 4 ½ cups of flour, and 1 teaspoon salt.
3. Divide the batter evenly into two 9×5 inch greased loaf pans.
4. Bake for 1 hour at 300 degrees F. You can check for the doneness of the bread using a toothpick or a fork and sticking into the bread. If it comes out clean then it means your bread is done.
5. Let cool.
6. Freeze if preferred.