California Date and Sausage Swirl Buns - Aarti Sequeira

Ingredients

• 1 cup pitted California dates (preferably medjool), about 165g + 6 more pitted dates, finely chopped
• 1 pound bulk mild Italian sausage
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1/4 teaspoon Kashmir chili powder (Optional. Substitute: sweet paprika or cayenne pepper)
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Calvados (apple brandy)
• 2 tablespoons avocado oil
• Handful minced cilantro
• Zest of 1 lemon
• Handful of pistachios, chopped
• 1 1/4 cups whole milk, at room temperature
• 2 envelopes instant or rapid-rise yeast (4 1/2 teaspoons)
• 1 teaspoon date sugar, plus 2 tablespoons extra (substitute: white granulated sugar)
• 2 3/4 cups (390g) all purpose flour
• 2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted + 2 tablespoons extra