To serve as passed hors d’oeuvres: Place colorful dried beans in long wooden trays and place a row of endives on top of beans (to keep them stabilized).
*Date sugar is unique. Made from dried, ground dates, it has an intense flavor of the fruit, with tangy overtones. Unlike ordinary granulated sugar or brown sugar, it does not dissolve when mixed with liquid. It is available in some specialty food markets, and also by mail order. As a substitute for date sugar, see our variation.
To substitute brown sugar for the date sugar, stir together in a bowl 1/4 cup firmly packed brown sugar with 2 teaspoons water and a pinch of salt. Add 1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts and toss to coat. Spread in a parchment-lined pan and bake at 350°F for 15 – 18 minutes, stirring twice. Cool.
**Note: To make balsamic vinegar reduction, boil 1/3 cup balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan for 3 – 4 minutes, until it has reduced to about 3 tablespoons. Pour immediately into a small cup or jar; it will thicken slightly as it cools. An alternative, a ready-to-use balsamic glaze, is sold in small bottles in some markets.