How Food Brings People Together
Every culture across the globe has deep-rooted traditions around mealtime and the social aspects of food. Of course, we all have “Girl Dinner” from time to time (hummus, veggies, and ZENB Cracker Crisps, anyone?), and mindful solo dining can be its own restorative ritual.
But there’s nothing quite like gathering around the table with others: passing dishes, swapping stories, slurping Ramen, sharing laughs. Eating with other people is a simple — and powerful — way to hold space for each other as humans. This practice goes way, way back to some of the earliest humans. In fact, evidence of humans feasting together goes back over 12,000 years to pre-Neolithic times! Sharing food with others sends subconscious signals to our brain that we’re safe, with nourishment for our bodies, and company for our emotional wellness.
Strengthening relationships and building community through food is an important component of ZENB’s “Eat Like it Matters” philosophy. And there are so many ways that food brings people together: During the autumn and winter, there are plenty of occasions to cook for loved ones, like Friendsgiving and holiday parties. In the warmer months, barbecues are a great excuse to get to know your neighbors.
Even without a holiday or specific occasion, taking the time to sit at the dinner table is a wonderful way to stay connected to your family; we’re talking everyday weeknight dinners with a shareable dish to enjoy. Some of your coziest memories are likely of evenings just like these (for more on the connection between food and fond memories, check out this blog post).
Bringing people together through food is such a lovely experience; the next time you get to host (whether for a chill fam supper or a fabulous dinner party), try one of these delicious ZENB recipes to feed and please a crowd.
Classic Meat & Veggie ZENB Lasagna
Dinner with an extra helping of nostalgia? Yes, please! Lasagna is a perfect dish for chilly evenings and mellow Sunday dinners, and our version streamlines the cooking process with our no boil, oven-ready ZENB Lasagna noodles, made from yellow peas for an extra boost of plant-powered nutrition. Cheesy, saucy, and satisfying, this is as good as it gets! To make a vegetarian version, swap in plant-based crumbles in place of ground beef.
Gochujang and Squash ZENB Cavatappi and Cheese
There are so many ways to remix mac-and-cheese, from the simplest one-bowl version to a decadent dish flavored with truffles. For mac-and-cheese with an Asian-fusion vibe, try this umami-rich pasta skillet, with gochujang (a kickin’ Korean fermented chili paste), butternut squash, cheddar cheese and ZENB Yellow Pea Cavatappi. The spiral-shaped twists of this unique pasta shape make it ideal for creamy sauces, just like this! (Head here to find out why pasta shape matters). It’s a gorgeous dish for fall, layered with bold seasonal flavors.
ZENB Spaghetti with Turkey & Veggie Meatballs
Less-than-adventurous friends (or picky kids) coming to dinner? Part of connecting people through food is knowing your audience, whether that’s their tastes and preferences or dietary restrictions. When you’re looking for a main dish that’s a true crowd-pleaser, you can’t go wrong with classic spaghetti and meatballs. The ZENB version lightens things up a touch with lean ground turkey and protein — and fiber-packed yellow pea pasta. It’s a timeless combination that will have everyone asking for second helpings
Looking for more inspiration in the kitchen? Whether you’re cooking for one or ten, ZENB’s recipe collection has you covered with healthy, quick, and creative meals. For more culinary tips, hacks, and advice, follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest; to find ZENB products near you, use our convenient store locator!
