Religious traditions have played a significant role in shaping many familiar dishes.
Over the centuries, abstaining from eating meat and other animal products for spiritual reasons led to creative, plant-based recipes that have since become cultural staples.
I think this matters because it helps legitimize plant-based eating as something deeply rooted in cultural and historical tradition—not a fad or modern invention. It reminds us that meatless eating has long been a meaningful, creative, and essential part of human food culture, shaped by values, ethics, and necessity.
And by centering these stories in our collective memory, we reclaim a rich legacy—and challenge the idea that animal products must, or always have, sat at the center of every meal.
Enjoy!
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Additional Resources
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