From my kitchen to your plate.
South Africa – A Country of Diverse Culinary InfluencesSouth Africa is a country with an exceptionally diverse food culture shaped by Indigenous African traditions and influences from Europe, Asia and other parts of the world. Its cuisine includes everything from maize-based dishes and vegetable stews to curries, grilled foods and contemporary fusion cooking. Butternut squash is a familiar ingredient in South African home kitchens, appearing in soups, roasted vegetable dishes, salads and comforting family meals. Modern South African food magazines also celebrate creative combinations of seasonal vegetables and international cooking techniques, reflecting the country's evolving culinary landscape.
What Are Butternut & Spinach Stuffed Conchiglioni?This dish is inspired by the recipe “Pasta served with butternut, spinach and lemon sauce” from the South African food magazine Food & Home. Rather than presenting it as a traditional South African national dish, my Via Veggie Vegan version celebrates a contemporary South African-inspired flavor combination. I transformed the original concept into stuffed Italian conchiglioni, combining roasted butternut squash with spinach, garlic, vegan sour cream, oat cream, nutritional yeast, vegan mozzarella and freshly grated nutmeg. Lemon and orange zest bring a fresh citrus aroma, while toasted pine nuts and vegan Parmesan add the finishing touches. The result is a colorful meeting of South African inspiration, Italian pasta and entirely plant-based creativity.
From my kitchen to your plate.
Haiti – The Caribbean Nation That Fought for FreedomHaiti occupies the western part of the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Its culture reflects a rich heritage shaped by African traditions, Indigenous history, French colonial influence and the extraordinary struggle for independence. On 1 January 1804, Haiti declared its independence after a successful revolution against French colonial rule, becoming the first independent Black republic and the first state established through a successful revolt by enslaved people. Haitian cuisine is known for its vibrant seasonings, aromatic herbs, vegetables, rice, beans and deeply flavorful dishes. Food plays an important role in family gatherings, cultural identity and the preservation of traditions.
Soup Joumou – Haiti's Freedom Soup, Traditionally Eaten on 1 JanuarySoup Joumou is a traditional Haitian squash soup with profound historical and cultural significance. According to Haitian tradition, during French colonial rule, the richly prepared soup was associated with the colonial elite and denied to enslaved Haitians. Following independence on 1 January 1804, preparing and enjoying Soup Joumou became a powerful symbol of liberation, dignity and the freedom to enjoy what had previously been forbidden. Today, Haitian families and communities in Haiti and around the world traditionally prepare and share the soup on New Year's Day, which is also Haiti's Independence Day. Soup Joumou is often described as a soup of freedom, unity and peace. In 2021, UNESCO inscribed the knowledge and practices surrounding Joumou soup on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Traditional versions often contain meat, while this Via Veggie Vegan interpretation celebrates the dish with butternut squash, vegetables, pasta, homemade Haitian epis and vegetable broth.
From my kitchen to your plate.
Thai red curry, known as Kaeng Phet, is a popular part of Thailand's rich culinary tradition. Its characteristic flavour comes from a fragrant paste of dried red chilies, lemongrass, galangal, garlic, shallots and aromatic spices, traditionally combined with coconut milk.
This vegan version replaces the traditional shrimp paste with red miso and uses homemade curry paste for an intensely aromatic sauce.
Instead of preparing a conventional Thai curry with cubed vegetables, the butternut squash is roasted Hasselback-style and served as the centrepiece of the dish.
The result is a creative fusion of Thai-inspired flavours and a European roasting technique, rather than a traditional Thai presentation.
From my kitchen to your plate.
Ukoy, also spelled Okoy, is a traditional Filipino fritter made with vegetables and often small shrimp. Popular variations include bean sprouts, squash, sweet potatoes and other locally available ingredients.
The vegetables are coated in batter and fried until golden and crispy. Ukoy is commonly enjoyed as a snack, appetiser or street food, traditionally accompanied by a tangy vinegar dipping sauce known as Sawsawang Suka.
My version takes a creative detour through the waffle iron. Butternut squash, zucchini and onions meet chickpea flour, while the familiar crispy texture gets a modern, oil-conscious twist.
Traditional Filipino inspiration, a brand-new kitchen gadget and a little Via Veggie Vegan mischief.
From my kitchen to your plate.
Zimbabwe – A Land of Natural Beauty and Culinary Traditions
Zimbabwe is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, known for its spectacular landscapes, including Victoria Falls, vast savannas and beautiful national parks. Its cuisine is closely connected to local agriculture and seasonal ingredients. Staple foods include maize, leafy greens, pumpkins, beans and groundnuts, which are used in a variety of traditional dishes. Groundnuts are especially valued for their rich, nutty flavor and their ability to add creaminess to sauces and stews.
What Is Zimbabwe-Inspired Butternut Peanut Soup?
This creamy soup is a plant-based creation inspired by ingredients commonly used in Zimbabwean cooking rather than a specific traditional national dish. Sweet butternut squash meets juicy tomatoes, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander and rich peanut butter for a wonderfully comforting combination. For my Via Veggie Vegan Halloween version, I've added a delicate oat cream spiderweb and two golden pumpkin bats made from reserved cooked squash and rolled oats. A little spooky creativity, plenty of flavor and absolutely no food waste!
From my kitchen to your plate.
Croatia – A Country of Culinary Traditions and Regional Flavors
Croatia is a country in southeastern Europe, known for its beautiful Adriatic coastline, historic cities and diverse regional cuisine. While coastal cooking is strongly influenced by Mediterranean traditions, northern Croatia is famous for hearty, rustic dishes, savory pastries and seasonal ingredients. Pumpkin and fresh cheese are particularly popular in the traditional cooking of Hrvatsko Zagorje and the Zagreb region, where homemade strudels have long been part of family food culture.
What Is Croatian Bučnica?
Bučnica is a traditional savory Croatian strudel filled with grated pumpkin or squash, fresh cheese, sour cream and often eggs, wrapped in thin, stretched pastry and baked until golden. For my Via Veggie Vegan Halloween interpretation, I replaced the dairy ingredients with creamy tofu, soy yogurt, plant-based cooking cream and vegan Cheddar. Instead of traditional strudel dough, I used flaky vegan puff pastry and shaped it into an oversized Halloween candy with twisted ends. Caramelized walnuts and a touch of maple syrup complete this playful combination of Croatian comfort food, autumn flavors and spooky creativity.
