Date-Filled Oatmeal Squares

1 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 3/4 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup walnut pieces (optional)
1 cup brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup butter, melted

Mix all ingredients well in order given.  Pat half the mixture on bottom 
of a greased 9-by 13-inch pan.  Spread with date filling.

Filling

Boil 1 pound pitted dates, cut fine, with 1 cup sugar, and 1/2 cup
water until smooth. Add grated rind of 1 lemon and 1 orange. Cool.
Pat remaining dough over this filling.  Bake in moderately slow oven,
325 degrees, for 30 minutes.  Cut while warm.  Dust with confections
sugar, or top with Confection Sugar Glaze (confect.sugar.glaze.)