Dates instead of raisins?

Sounds like a tasty substitution. I wouldn't bother boiling them. I'd just chop them up into raisin-ish size pieces and go. (Hint: When chopping dried fruit wipe a little oil across the blade of your knife or scissors so the fruit won't stick.)

minced dried fruit of any kind can be added to cookies or other baked goods. Just depends on what flavor complements pumpkin! I've never tried pumpkin-date, but it sounds rather gourmet, go for it. I've used dried apple and dried cherry bits in baked goods before, they're all good!

If the dates seem to be significantly harder than raisins, you might soak them in steaming water for 10 minutes or so before adding, unless that makes them too soft and mushy--I'd test a small batch of dates this way first?

Anhata
www.familynaturally.com
Your Family's General Store, Naturally