Jinger Duggar Reacts to 'Random' Food Lydia Plath Says Was Part of Her Childhood Thanksgivings

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  Published in Food and Wine on Thursday, September 11th 2025 at 11:35 GMT by People

From Duggar‑House Kitchens to Lydie Plath’s Cozy Kitchen: A Food‑Family Love Story

When the people behind the famous Duggar family of “19 Kids and Counting” decide to take a break from the public eye and share something as simple, yet profound, as a meal, the result can be surprisingly heart‑warming. In a recent interview that ran in People, Jinger Duggar—a member of the once‑high‑profile Duggar clan—sat down with Lydie Plath, a food blogger and recipe curator known for her “Home‑grown & Heirloom” posts, to discuss the ties that bind families together through food. The conversation, which was released as a video on both YouTube and Instagram TV, was as intimate as it was informative, offering viewers a glimpse into how two women from very different backgrounds find common ground over a shared love of cooking.

Who Are Jinger Duggar and Lydie Plath?

Jinger Duggar is the eldest daughter of the Duggars, a family who lived in a 10‑room mansion in Arkansas during the early 2000s and later moved to Oklahoma. While her siblings often took center stage in the reality‑TV series, Jinger has quietly carved out her own niche: a small‑business owner who sells handmade jewelry and has started a family‑cooking blog. In the interview, she described herself as “someone who loves to bring people together over a pot of soup,” a trait that has become a hallmark of her brand.

Lydie Plath (pronounced “Lee-dee”), meanwhile, runs a popular food‑blog site that showcases heirloom vegetables and classic comfort foods with a modern twist. Plath’s followers admire her ability to combine family history with sustainable cooking practices. In the piece, she talks about growing up on her grandparents’ farm in Oregon, learning to preserve fruits and vegetables, and then turning those skills into a lifestyle brand that includes recipe videos, cookbooks, and a line of artisanal spice blends.

The Conversation: A Blend of Tradition and Innovation

When the two women got together, the focus quickly shifted from “what do you do?” to “how do you keep family traditions alive?” Jinger opened up about the “Duggar Dinner”—a weekly tradition in which every family member, from the youngest baby to the elderly grandparents, would sit at a long table and cook a dish together. “It was always the one thing that kept us from getting lost in our own lives,” she said. “The smell of rosemary and garlic would bring everyone back.”

Lydie echoed Jinger’s sentiment. “Food is a universal language,” she said. “It tells a story, and it creates a sense of belonging. In Oregon, my grandmother would gather us all for a Sunday pot roast. That memory is why I’m so passionate about sharing recipes that make people feel at home.”

The interview included short clips of the two women cooking side‑by‑side. They chose a menu that represented both their backgrounds: a pot roast with root vegetables for Jinger, and a roasted heirloom tomato soup for Plath. The conversation explored how each dish was adapted to modern dietary preferences—gluten‑free, vegan, or keto—without compromising the essence of the recipe. “We’re not just preserving food, we’re preserving memory,” Jinger noted.

Highlights From the Interview

1. The Power of “Mealtime Rituals”
   Jinger explained that the Duggar family’s tradition of a shared Sunday meal was more than a way to feed everyone; it was a social safety net. “If someone was sad or lonely, we could talk while we cooked,” she said. Plath added that her own family has a ritual of cooking a new recipe on the first Sunday after a holiday, a practice that encourages experimentation and creativity.

2. Recipes for Modern Families
   The duo unveiled a “Family‑Friendly Recipe Pack” that includes a step‑by‑step guide for the pot roast and a recipe card for the heirloom tomato soup. Both dishes are available in a downloadable PDF, which will be linked in the article’s description. Jinger also mentioned a new line of spice blends that she’s selling online, featuring rosemary, garlic, and bay leaves.

3. Sustainability and Local Sourcing
   Lydie emphasized the importance of sourcing ingredients locally to reduce carbon footprints. “We use the produce from the farmers’ markets in Bend,” she said. Jinger noted that the Duggar family’s tradition of using fresh, local produce has been a staple in their cooking for decades.

4. Kids in the Kitchen
   Both women emphasized the educational value of involving children in cooking. Jinger recalled the memory of her 6‑year‑old brother chopping carrots with a safety knife. “It taught responsibility,” she said. Plath shared that she now offers a monthly “Kid‑Chef” video series on her blog.

Why This Conversation Matters

In an era where many families are turning to instant meals and frozen foods, the conversation between Jinger Duggar and Lydie Plath serves as a reminder of the simple pleasures that can keep households together. Their discussion transcends the differences between a reality‑TV legacy and a modern food‑blog empire, finding common ground in the belief that shared meals are a timeless way to strengthen bonds.

Moreover, the interview has sparked a broader conversation about food as a cultural heritage, especially in communities that value tradition. “The next generation can learn from the past but also adapt to their present,” Plath summarized. “It’s about balance.”

Where to Find the Full Interview

The video interview is available on People’s official YouTube channel and on Instagram TV. Viewers can download the recipe pack by clicking the link in the video description. Jinger Duggar’s jewelry line and Lydie Plath’s “Home‑grown & Heirloom” cookbook can also be accessed via the links embedded in the article.

This conversation, while centered around food, ultimately highlights something deeper: the way traditions—whether about cooking or caring—continue to shape our lives in profound, delicious ways.