top of page
Search

Soulful Sharables: Flavorful Finger Foods for Festive Fun

The Power of the Shared Plate: Fellowship as Reclamation


In our community, food has always been more than just sustenance, it is the language of our fellowship and the glue of our connection. Sharing a meal is a sacred cultural practice that bonds us, creates joy, and provides a space for deep storytelling across generations. Veguary overlapping with Black History Month isn’t just a coincidence; it’s an invitation to return to the table where our ancestors used resourceful cooking and earth-based ingredients to feed us with creativity and care. By bringing plant-based dishes into these joyful settings, we aren't just trying a new "diet", we are introducing a vibrant, life-giving way of eating that honors our history while protecting our future.


This Soulful Sharables spread was created to celebrate that spirit of togetherness with festive finger foods that feel familiar, comforting, and celebratory. These dishes are designed to be approachable and affordable, making them perfect for uplifting plant-based living at your next gathering. When we share food that tastes amazing, we dismantle the myth that healthy eating is a sacrifice, proving instead that our "health inheritance" can be as nourishing as it is delicious.



The Soulful Sharables Menu

  • Okra Fries with Cajun Seasoning (recipe below)

  • Mini Mac & Cheese Bites

  • Vegan “Chicken” & Waffles (Cornmeal-Crusted Tofu)


Each dish reflects ingredients and flavors that have long been staples in Black kitchens, reimagined in ways that fit modern, plant-based lifestyles. Tune into our YouTube to see how these shareables are created so you can enjoy them out of your own kitchen.



Okra Fries with Cajun Seasoning



Why Okra Matters

Okra is one of the most significant ingredients in African American and African diaspora foodways. Native to Africa, okra seeds were carried across the Atlantic by enslaved Africans and became foundational in Southern cooking — especially in dishes like gumbo. Okra represents resilience, adaptability, and cultural preservation.


Turning okra into fries is a modern expression of a historic ingredient, keeping the flavor profile familiar while making it snackable and shareable.


Ingredients

  • 1 lb fresh okra, sliced lengthwise

  • 1/2 cup cornmeal

  • 1/2 cup breadcrumbs or panko

  • 2 tsp smoked paprika

  • 2 tsp garlic powder

  • 2 tsp onion powder

  • 2 tsp Cajun seasoning

  • Salt and pepper to taste

  • Olive oil spray or neutral oil


Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F or air fryer to 400°F.

  2. Slice okra lengthwise and pat dry to remove excess moisture.

  3. In a bowl, combine cornmeal, breadcrumbs, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, Cajun seasoning, salt, and pepper.

  4. Toss okra in the coating mixture until evenly coated.

  5. Arrange in a single layer on a lined baking sheet or air fryer basket.

  6. Lightly spray with oil.

  7. Bake for 20–25 minutes or air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until golden and crispy.

  8. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.


Mini Mac & Cheese Bites



A Soul Food Staple, Reimagined

Macaroni and cheese holds a special place in Black households — it’s a dish tied to Sunday dinners, holidays, and celebrations. Historically, it reflects how Black cooks elevated simple ingredients into something indulgent and communal.


For this spread, mac and cheese is transformed into mini bites using a muffin tin, making it perfect for sharing while keeping all the creamy, cheesy comfort intact. Using plant-based milk, coconut milk, and vegan cheese highlights how traditional comfort foods can evolve without losing their soul.


👉 Get the full Mini Mac & Cheese Bites recipe here.


Crispy Tofu & Waffles



The Cultural Significance

Chicken and waffles is a classic dish with deep roots in Black culinary history — popularized during the Great Migration and embraced as a symbol of indulgence and innovation. It represents how Black communities blended savory and sweet flavors to create something uniquely their own.


This plant-based version uses cornmeal-crusted tofu, nodding to the importance of corn in African American cooking and the resourcefulness of using affordable, accessible ingredients. Pairing it with store-bought waffles keeps the dish practical while still honoring its cultural legacy.


👉 Get the full Vegan Chicken & Waffles recipe here.


Whether you’re new to plant-based eating or continuing a lifelong journey, let these dishes remind you that our food has always been innovative. This is tradition, evolving.

 
 
 
bottom of page