A/N: I don't even want to cook food, let alone write about it, so...Also, I have no idea how familiar Ziva is with Yiddish? I think she used some Yiddish words on the show? Anyway, I used this article about the Israeli stew as inspiration.

Day 26: Write about winter food.


"Ziva!" Abby tottered over to her desk while swiping her phone frantically. Clearly the Goth had already had more than one Caf-Pow, despite the early hour.

"Do you know how to make cholent?"

Ziva cocked her head, it rang a bell, but…

"I've seen so many pictures of it on Instagram," Abby said as she thrust her phone in Ziva's face.

"Ah, hamin," Ziva said as she finally realized what Abby was talking about. "I haven't prepared that in a long time."

She remembered walking into her grandparent's house as a kid, the smell wafting from the kitchen greeting her like the warm hug that invariably followed once her grandmother saw her. It always smelled sweeter than the hamin her mother made. She always cooked her mother's recipe, though. Whether that was out of respect of her mother, or because she enjoyed the spicier taste, she didn't know.

"If you don't have any plans, I could make it tomorrow." She looked at her co-workers. "You're all invited."

They all agreed, eagerly; it was no secret that Ziva was an excellent cook.

Tony sauntered over and looked at the pictures on the phone. "Wait, that's what you're making? It looks like…brown mush," he said wrinkling his nose.

"Appearances can be deceptive, Tony," she said flippantly. "You of all people should know that."

He stared at her for a few moments, and then he wet his lips and said, "We're not on call, I'll bring the wine."