Tabkha Cookbook Bookclub
Tabkha: Recipes From Under the Rubble
Borrow it from Nelson Public Library
Dates and Times for in person events: TBA
Since October 2023 I started searching different ways to approach Palestine and its political value at large, its meaning and impact on my family life.
In Nelson we are geographically so far away from the metro areas where activist groups have been offering creative ways to learn about Palestine and show solidarity in action.
One example is the Parents4Palestine In Vancouver who have been running kids markets, za’atar and tatreez making events all year long, for example.
But even in our community we have resources we can tap into in order to get more informed and educated about it.
Tabkha is a cookbook created by chef Mona Zaed within the Gaza strip; she used to run a restaurant there but due the constant attacks she lost along everything else except for the hope and strength to keep working with what she still has: Love and pride for their heritage, passed on with food culture.
Tabkha is the fruit of a world wide graphic artist collaboration, and with the solid support of SlingShot publisher is now at its 3rd printed edition.
Every copy purchased of Tabkha finances directly Mona's school project in a tent in Gaza; every recipe you will cook will open a door to a new story... the story of those ingredients, those landscapes and their plants and colours, those aromas and flavours that are now doomed under dust and rubble.
By bringing Tabkha to the Nelson Library we are purposely offering families in our community an opportunity to connect with Palestine and the international solidarity movement in a healthy and creative way.
We will keep hosting events that reach out to all ages, like the "Thrifting4Palestine", where everyone is welcome and met at their capacity of information intake.
When I cook Palestinian's food I no longer feel sad or desperate, instead I feel recharged in my purpose of giving time and energy to its cause.
When I'm cooking I'm connecting with the life force of these people and I know that our efforts to not forget them are so important and appreciate it.
If you borrow this book don’t let it sit on your shelves, but go through its pages, pick and try different recipes and I can guarantee you that not only your tummy will be happy but your heart will feel lighter.
We will gather to share our experiences and platters and very soon we will announce a date for a very first "live Palestinian dinner", with cooking class and more!
So get ready, bring this book home, cook something and if you have children check out the Library's offerings.
I can't wait to meet you and hear about your cooking experiments, we will let Mona know that her work touched your heart!
With love and solidarity,
Xochilt
