De-seed the dates and keep them ready. Next toast the nuts in a pan for few minutes. I have taken almonds, cashews and pistachio.
In a mixer/blender take the mixed nuts and whirl it for few minutes so that you get coarse powder. Transfer it to a vessel. Next add the pited dates in to same mixer and grind for 3 minutes.
Combine the dates paste with powdered nuts. Add in cardamom powder and give a nice mix. And the modak base is ready. You can even add desicated coconut and/or poppy seeds at this stage.
Next grease the modak mould with some ghee and fill it with dates mix.
De-mould carefully and repeat the above step till you are done. Easy dates modak is ready to offer.
Notes
You can use nuts of your choice. I have taken almond, pistachio and cashews.
There is no hard and fast rule for the quantity of nuts and dates. You can add according to your preferance.
As there is no artificial sweetener, it is a healthy modak which can relished as snack too.