I have a problem with crontab entry

Here is what I have

0,5 * * * * echo The time is 'date' >> /root/filename

I need the current date and time to go to the file.

I get this when I do cat /root/filename

The time is date

thanks

Its all about how to execute commands in bash. Lots of help can be found by googling. The correct syntax is $( command )
However the old ways is using bacticks i.e. the key next to Esc .