Top five foods that Thandolwethu loves during the festive season
‘Being a
vegan doesn’t mean that you can’t eat delicious food during the festive season,’
says Thandolwethu.
So, if you didn’t already know, I am a Zulu vegan. I am sure my Zulu ancestors are tossing in their graves at just the mention of the word ‘vegan’. Eek!
I began the vegan lifestyle about three years ago. At first, it was a challenge to myself to see how long I could last. I was your typical meat eater – someone who had meat on the side of her plate for almost every meal. Not necessarily because I had the desire and craving of meat, but because I attribute it to my upbringing.
Read: Could this be the most unconventional gift to give your vegan date?
I am sure many of you may be able to relate. No meal was complete without meat. I have often found that people around me have a perception that vegan food is tasteless. I am here to dispel all these myths. I often share delicious vegan recipes on my Instagram account.
Believe me, they taste just as good as they look.
Here are five of my favourite foods to indulge in during the festive season:
1. Juicy Mangos - I am, like, totally obsessed with mangos! I love to get my hands on ripe mangos, slice them up, and sprinkle organic cayenne pepper all over them. Trust me – it’s the best thing since sliced bread.
2. Frozen bananas and ice cream – I mean, what could be better? Bananas are my fave and ice cream is the perfect thing to eat during the warm Durban weather during the festive season.
3. Roast Potatoes – There is no festive season without a good roast potato. The crunchiness, golden colour, and aroma is the ultimate yummy thing to indulge in.
4. Vegan Banana bread – Because plain banana bread is so boring. I have an age-old, fail-proof recipe which has never let me down. If you’re lucky and ask nicely, I may just share it with you.
5. Not your normal salad - Salads often get a bad reputation, almost as the side dish that nobody really cares about. A salad, however, can be a meal on its own. I like to throw in as much as I can into my salads such as chillies, tons of avocado, and some fresh fruit. With the hot weather during December, a light summer salad is just what the doctor ordered.
Whatever tickles your fancy, right? Here’s to a festive season filled with good laughs and great food!