National Dumpling Day

Celebrate National Dumpling Day with Good Thyme Gal: An Equitable & Comforting Recipe

September 26th is National Dumpling Day, a holiday dedicated to one of the world’s most beloved comfort foods. From Asia to Europe, Africa to the Americas, dumplings are a universal dish that reflects tradition, creativity, and community. Whether steamed, boiled, pan-fried, or baked, dumplings have a way of bringing people together over food that is humble, satisfying, and delicious.

At Good Thyme Gal, we celebrate recipes that are equitable, approachable, and joyful. Dumplings fit that mission perfectly: they’re affordable, adaptable to any culture or diet, and rooted in the idea of stretching ingredients to feed more people. That’s why National Dumpling Day aligns beautifully with our mission of creating food that nourishes both the body and community.

Why Celebrate National Dumpling Day?

Food holidays like National Dumpling Day give us the opportunity to connect with traditions while making them our own. Dumplings are especially meaningful because:

• They’re Universal: Almost every culture has a version of dumplings; Chinese jiaozi, Italian ravioli, Polish pierogi, African fufu dumplings, Latin American empanadas, and many more.

• They’re Affordable: Dumplings are designed to stretch simple pantry staples like flour, potatoes, or rice into a hearty meal.

• They Build Community: Making dumplings is often a group activity, with families and friends gathering to fold, pinch, and cook together.

For Good Thyme Gal, celebrating dumplings means honoring the balance of comfort, creativity, and togetherness.

Equitable Recipe: Simple Veggie Dumplings with Dipping Sauce

This affordable dumpling recipe uses basic ingredients but delivers big flavor. It’s a vegetarian version that can be easily adapted with whatever veggies you have on hand, making it perfect for an equitable and budget-friendly kitchen.

Ingredients (Makes about 20 dumplings):

• 1 package round dumpling wrappers (found in most grocery stores or international markets)

• 2 cups cabbage, finely chopped

• 1 carrot, grated

• ½ cup mushrooms, finely diced

• 2 green onions, sliced

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 tablespoon soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil (optional but adds depth)

• Pinch of black pepper

For the dipping sauce:

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar or lemon juice

• ½ teaspoon sesame oil

• Optional: red pepper flakes for heat

Instructions:

1. Make the Filling: In a bowl, mix together the cabbage, carrot, mushrooms, green onions, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, and black pepper.

2. Fill the Dumplings: Place a wrapper in your hand, add 1 teaspoon of filling in the center, and fold in half. Pinch the edges tightly or pleat them for a traditional look.

3. Cook the Dumplings:

   • Boil: Drop dumplings into boiling water for 3–4 minutes until they float.

   • Steam: Place dumplings in a steamer basket and steam for 6–7 minutes.

   • Pan-fry: Heat oil in a skillet, add dumplings, and fry for 2 minutes. Add ¼ cup water, cover, and steam until the bottoms are crispy and tops are tender.

4. Serve: Mix dipping sauce ingredients together and serve alongside warm dumplings.

💡 Equity Tip: Frozen dumpling wrappers make this recipe quick and affordable, but if you can’t find them, you can easily make a dough with flour and water. Use whatever veggies you already have; zucchini, spinach, or even leftover roasted vegetables work perfectly.

Why National Dumpling Day Aligns with Good Thyme Gal

At Good Thyme Gal, we believe in recipes that are:

• Equitable: Dumplings are proof that you don’t need expensive ingredients to create something delicious and memorable.

• Community-Centered: Dumplings are best enjoyed with loved ones, whether you’re folding them together or sharing them at the table.

• Creative: This recipe is endlessly adaptable, showing that you can honor tradition while making it your own.

National Dumpling Day encourages us to slow down, roll up our sleeves, and create food that’s not just nourishing but deeply connected to culture and care.

A Joyful Way to Celebrate

On September 26th, join the celebration of National Dumpling Day by making a batch of homemade veggie dumplings. They’re affordable, comforting, and a fun way to bring people together in the kitchen.

At Good Thyme Gal, we’re all about celebrating the foods that unite us, and dumplings are a perfect example of how simple ingredients can create extraordinary joy.

So gather your ingredients, fold some dumplings, and savor the delicious tradition of this global comfort food. After all, a dumpling shared is joy doubled.