Parsha Inspired Menus - Chukkat

In our parsha this week, the story of the Israelites returns to the Wilderness of Zin. Perhaps the Wilderness of Zin sounds familiar. What do we know about Zin? Well, let's just say it has not been an area of good fortune for the Israelites. Zin is mentioned in the area of spies scouting (you know, the incident that results in all the adults having to die out in the desert and not getting to enter the land of Israel.) Zin is mentioned as the area where the community was "contentious"

and Moshe hit the rock to bring forth water (you know, resulting in Moshe having to die out in the desert and not being able to enter the land of Israel.) And Zin, in our parsha, is the location where the Israelites are when Miriam dies. Is there something specific about this wilderness of Zin that makes people lose faith (as in the spies or Moshe), or perhaps there's an interesting tie-in with water since both the rock incident and Miriam's death force the people to acknowledge God as the source of water in the desert (though they fail and then lose faith.)

It's interesting to note these 3 mentions and consider what we can discover in the connection. Since Zin is sort of the "nickname" for the wine Zinfandel, that seems like a fitting food to incorporate into this week's #parshainspiredmenus. Perhaps try this Grilled Zinfandel Peaches (good for summer fruit, using the grill and Zin!) You can skip the cheese accompaniment to keep it pareve.

So, after Miriam dies and the Israelites are again in need of water they (surprise, surprise) complain with a very dramatic feel. They say "Why did you make us leave Egypt to bring us to this wretched place, a place with no grain or figs or vines or pomegranates? There is not even water to drink!”

Sometimes a food is just mentioned DIRECTLY in the parsha and we just go for it. I know we're all likely tired of the complaining, but when the Israelites are going to be so descriptive, we might as well use it. Try this Fig Salad with Pomegranate Dressing (you can leave out the cheese again - or keep it in both and go dairy!)

Shabbat Shalom & B'Tayavon!