Spice of the Month Take & Make: Nigella Seeds In-Person
September Spice of the Month: Nigella Seeds
Nigella seeds, also known as black cumin or kalonji, are tiny black seeds with a nutty, onion-like flavor that add crunch and intrigue to savory dishes. Common in South Asian, Middle Eastern, and North African cuisines, they’re used in breads, pickles, and spice blends. This month’s kit celebrates their bold versatility with recipes and books that reflect tradition, memory, and flavor across cultures.
About the Program
The Spice of the Month is a year-long journey through global flavors, where each month features a different spice, blend, or herb. Library patrons can sign up to receive a free “take-and-make” kit, including:
- A small packet of the featured spice (enough for two recipes).
- Simple recipe cards to inspire your cooking.
- A brief history and cultural context of the spice.
- Recommended books for further exploration.
Registration is preferred. Kits will be available while supplies last, registration secures a kit for you for pick up at LINC Library.
Recipes
-
Nigella Seed Naan
-
Yogurt Dip with Nigella & Herbs
Reads
Pair your culinary adventure with books like:
-
Made in India by Meera Sodha
(Home-style Indian cooking with many uses for nigella seeds in dals, breads, and chutneys) -
Zaitoun by Yasmin Khan
(Palestinian cuisine celebrating the spice’s use in pickles, salads, and flatbreads)
Fiction/Nonfiction:
-
The Mistress of Spices by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni (a magical realist tale blending spices and healing)
-
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi (lushly detailed historical fiction set in post-independence India)
- From:
- Tuesday, September 1, 2026
- To:
- Tuesday, September 29, 2026
- Time Zone:
- Mountain Time - US & Canada (change)
- Building:
- LINC Library Innovation Center
- Audience:
- Adult All Ages Family
- Categories:
- Books and Reading Cooking, Home and Garden Take and Make Activity Kit