September, also known as National Family Meals Month, offers a splendid opportunity to reinforce one of the most significant bonding moments for families: cooking, eating and enjoying a nutritious meal together. As we all gather around the table to share delicious meals, we build healthy habits, create traditions that build connections, start conversations that can deepen relationships, and form lasting memories.
What is Family Meals Month?
In addition to bringing families together and promoting wellness, National Family Meals Month can help increase the fruit and vegetable intake of everyone around the table. We encourage you to use the month of September to share more meals with your family. For you, we have curated a list of delicious family-pleasing recipes, all of which feature walnuts.
Why Walnuts?
Walnuts have a complex flavor that is mild, earthy and tangy at the same time. This flavor profile, combined with their crunchy texture, is what makes them so versatile and a great addition to your meals, whether they’re used in sweet or savory applications.
While the flavor of walnuts alone is compelling, so are the nutritional benefits. One ounce of walnuts is a powerhouse of essential nutrients that promote optimal health, including the most omega-3 ALA of any tree nut (2.5g/oz)*. They are a natural plant-based food that fit seamlessly with most diets, making them the ultimate addition to your family’s plate during National Family Meals Month.
4 Recipes for Family Meals Month
Here are four delightful recipes that are simple and delicious, perfect for the entire family.
Our Hard Shell Tacos with Walnut Meat are loaded with a zesty blend of walnut and black bean “meat,” and they’re the ideal choice for Taco Tuesday or a busy weeknight. Combined with crispy shells and melted cheese, this scrumptious dish will surely satisfy all cravings.
This timeless Italian recipe combines walnuts with the spectacular parsley-based pesto pasta to provide a delightful play of flavors and textures. Pappardelle with California Walnut Pesto is a dish for both the kids and adults in your family (who doesn’t love pasta?). Here’s a tip: If you have extra sauce, use an ice cube tray to save the leftovers, and freeze to use later on top of grilled vegetables, breakfast sandwiches and more.
Our Walnut Tomato Sauce with Zucchini Lasagna Noodles recipe presents a contemporary twist on lasagna, combining zucchini noodles and walnut-enriched tomato sauce to replace the traditional ground beef. The finely ground walnuts offer a meaty consistency and amplify this gratifying meal’s flavor and satiety.
Pizza with Plant-Based California Walnut Crumble is one your family will ask for again and again. This favorite dish features a savory walnut crumble that tastes like Italian sausage, bringing the entire meal together. It’s the perfect option for lunch or dinner, and it only requires 38 minutes from start to finish.
We hope these recipes will inspire you and your family to dine together this September and make the most of this splendid communal time! For more weeknight recipe inspiration and more, sign up for our e-newsletter.
