Raisins

Raisins are grapes which have been sun dried.  Raisins are eaten as snacks and used in cereals and baked goods.  You can purchase raisins with seeds or seedless.  This dried fruit has a very high sugar content but is a good source of iron, potassium, and calcium.

Prior to medieval Europe, raisins were used as a sweetener along with honey.

Substitute For Raisins

If you don't have raisins there are some very good options to use as a substitute:

• Most raisin varieties can be use interchangeably.  So for example go ahead and substitute golden raisins for Thompson seedless or muscat raisins for either of those.
• OR - You can substitute dried currants (which are just dried Zante grapes) for any other type of raisin but the currants will be sweeter and firmer.  Some recipes suggest soaking before use.
• dried apricots.
• OR - Chopped pitted prunes
• OR - Chopped pitted dates
• OR - Use dried cranberries (craisins)