This week's parsha-inspired menu has both a pretty literal choice and more interpretative. So, what's on the menu? Steak, zucchini pashtida, and chocolate cake. Why? Well, in order of the parsha - After battling the Midianites and getting the plunder, the Israelites return to camp and the officers counted the soldiers, realizing that no one was lost.
To give thanks for this miracle, the officers donated to the Tabernacle all the gold
that was part of the plunder. To represent this donation, the dessert would be a chocolate cake covered in gold sprinkles.
As the Israelites prepare to enter Canaan and take over the land, Gad, Reuben, and half of the tribe of Menashe ask to settle on the eastern banks of the Jordan. Moshe at first assumes that they are like the original ten spies and are scared to enter the land of Israel, but it turns out that they are not scared. They just want that land because it's good for their cattle. This is a good reminder that when we are surprised at someone's actions or response, it's good to first ask questions before we jump to judgement. In honor of this part of that parsha - steak (for the cattle!) Plus it's always a favorite in our house.
Finally, the parsha recounts the wandering of the Jews during their time in the desert and tells of the 42 journeys that took them from Egypt to this point on the edge of the Jordan. In reference to spring and Israel, the menu item for this is a zucchini pashtida.
A pashtida is basically a kugel that is a popular dish in Israel. With the abundance of fresh local zucchini right now, a zucchini pashtida would be a great side dish for dinner. And to represent the 42 stops on the journey, I'd top the pashtida with 7 rows of 6 (6x7=42) slices of zucchini rounds.
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