In review: Boustany: A Celebration of Vegetables from My Palestine

In this delightful book, Sami Tamimi offers a deeply personal and beautifully composed homage to his Palestinian roots, presenting more than a hundred plant-based and vegetarian recipes rooted in the traditions of his childhood backyard – his grandfather’s garden in Hebron and the kitchens of Jerusalem.

Tamimi doesn’t just give you recipes; he gives you the story of the garden (“boustany” means “my garden” in Arabic) that nurtured him, the sense of community around shared plates, and the act of cooking as an expression of identity and home.

Though many of the dishes and recipes may be unfamiliar to the British palate, the tone of the book is reassuringly accessible. Tamimi’s voice is warm and inclusive: these are recipes to share, to make weeknight dinners green and lively, or to invite guests over for a feast that honours vegetables, grains, herbs and the pantry.

In short: Boustany is a vibrant, heartfelt cookbook that expands our understanding of Middle-Eastern food beyond just grain and spice to embrace the garden, the table and the act of gathering. For anyone wanting to cook vegetables with flair and meaning, Tamimi’s solo offering is a rich, nourishing invitation.'