For Toba Adina Jao, Afghan food is much more than just ingredients—it’s a connection to family, culture, and memory. Born in Kabul and raised in Alameda, CA, she grew up watching her mother cook with care, learning that fresh ingredients and patience were at the heart of every dish. Now an author and mother herself, she continues those same traditions, inviting her children into the kitchen to share in the joy of cooking.
Beyond her writing, Toba is deeply involved in community work, advocating for refugee rights and the preservation of Afghan culture. She volunteers with organizations supporting displaced families and uses storytelling to amplify Afghan voices.
Her book, Me, Mommy, Mantu, celebrates the flavors of Afghanistan and the warmth of cooking with loved ones.
Ziba Foods is excited to collaborate with Afghan-American author, activist, and mother, Toba Adina Jao to create a family-oriented activity sheet inspired by her passion for sharing Afghan cooking and culture. Based in Northern California, Toba is the author of Me, Mommy, Mantu, a heartfelt children’s book that celebrates Afghan culinary traditions and the joy of family connection. Through her work, Toba weaves together the flavors, stories, and heritage of Afghanistan, offering a beautiful way for families to come together and celebrate their roots.
We spoke with Toba about her journey, her inspiration for Me, Mommy, Mantu, and the importance of sharing Afghan traditions with the next generation. Explore her story and enjoy this special worksheet designed to bring families closer this holiday season, all while honoring the rich cultural and culinary heritage of Afghanistan.
What inspired you to write Me, Mommy, Mantu, and how does it reflect your connection to Afghan culture and family traditions?
The inspiration for Me, Mommy, Mantu came from my desire to preserve the memories of cooking with my mother as a young girl. Food is a such a central role in our culture and mantu, a cherished Afghan dish happens to be my son’s favorite. For me, making mantu has become a meaningful way to connect with my children, share family stories and pass down traditions. Writing this book was a way to reflect on those experiences and honor my heritage showing how food, especially a dish like mantu holds deeper significance than just its ingredients. It embodies the warmth of our kitchens, the bonds we share, love, connection, and preserving traditions for our generations to come.
Mantu is a beloved Afghan dish. Can you share a favorite memory of making or enjoying mantu with your family?
One of my favorite memories is from a few years ago when I had my mother over to make mantu with my children and I. It was a beautiful moment of generations coming together. We set up a table, wet the wrappers, filled them, sealed them all while talking and laughing. In the end we savored the fruits of our labor sharing the meal together. There was also a sense of creativity in the process too as each of my children put their own spin on the mantu. One added yogurt, another skipped the mint, everyone made it their own way. That’s what makes cooking so much fun! You can follow the recipe but there’s also room to tweak it and make it personal. There’s no perfect way to do it, just the joy of creating and sharing something together.
How do you incorporate Afghan food traditions into your day to day life, and what role does cooking play in bringing people together in your life?
When connecting with family and friends, I love incorporating Afghan food traditions by sharing them with those around us. For example, I often send a dish to our neighbors along with a note explaining what it is and the ingredients. Hearing their thoughts and reactions after trying it is always such a joy—it’s a meaningful way to share a piece of my culture. For classroom parties, I’ll make firni and encourage my children to share it with their classmates, letting them introduce their friends to something new. We also gift Ziba Foods to friends and colleagues, which is always appreciated. These small acts of sharing food create new connections and foster understanding, adding so much meaning to the season.
What advice would you give to families looking to explore Afghan cuisine for the first time? Are there any beginner-friendly recipes or ingredients you’d recommend?
For families new to Afghan cuisine, I’d recommend starting with simple dishes like bolani (stuffed flatbread). This dish is relatively easy to make and gives a great introduction to the spices and flavors that define Afghan cooking. You can find ingredients like potatoes, cumin, and cilantro in most grocery stores. It’s also helpful to start with a basic Afghan rice dish like challow (white rice) which is versatile and can be served with different meats or vegetables. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the spices because they are the heart of the flavor. Afghan food may be new and unfamiliar but also very comforting.
What are you most grateful for, and how do you practice gratitude in your daily life?
I’m most grateful for my family and for the strength and the resilience that has been passed down through generations. I am also deeply grateful for the ability to share my Afghan heritage with others through my book, Me, Mommy, Mantu. I try to practice gratitude and express thanks through both words and actions: distributing donations to the community, paying for the meal of the driver behind us in the drive-thru line, or participating as a family in local charity events like Run to Feed the Hungry.
How do you go about incorporating dried fruits and nuts into your recipes?
Dried fruits and nuts are staples in Afghan households and are often part of festive platters—almonds, mulberries, pistachios, figs, raisins, and pine nuts are some of our favorites. I’ve always loved baking and enjoy incorporating dried fruits and nuts into my dessert recipes. I’m often tweaking recipes by adding walnuts and pecans to cupcakes, roasting nuts and drizzling melted chocolate over them, or mixing them into cookies. I also like to experiment with traditional Afghan desserts, giving them a small twist to see how they turn out. The smell of roasted nuts filling the kitchen always brings a sense of warmth and togetherness to the day.
Share bite-sized cultural insights:
Food as a Bridge: The act of sharing meals is not just about nourishing the body; it’s about creating memories and bridging divides. Afghan cuisine is often shared at celebrations, marking life’s milestones and forging bonds between individuals from different backgrounds. A shared meal becomes a lasting memory, uniting people in celebration, laughter, and joy.
By working directly with family farms and village cooperatives to source true heirloom fruit and nut varieties, Ziba presents only the highest-quality agricultural products, many of which are grown wild.
