Meet The Mothers

Meena Patel

Meet Meena Patel — born and raised in the American South, navigating teenage appetites, falafel cravings during pregnancy, and the delicate dance between pediatric advice and dadi-approved traditions. A full-time working mom raising two vegetarian daughters in Cartersville, Georgia, Meena sat down with Masala Memoirs to share her journey of parenting, cooking, and staying rooted in Indian culture while embracing life in the U.S.

Jeliben Patel

Born and raised in Gujarat, India, Jeliben is a first generation American Indian. Jeliben moved to the United States in the 1980s around the age of 20. Here she raised her three children and six grandchildren and has spent the last five decades experimenting in the kitchen with nutritious Indian food for the three generations living under the same roof. 

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Taraben Patel

Born in Gujarat, India, Tara is a first generation American Indian. She arrived in the U.S. after her marriage. Currently living in Atlanta, Georgia, she has raised her three children and five grandchildren here. Having been used to cooking in the outdoors in Gujarat, she had to adapt her cooking style and ingredients for American kitchens. 

Purvi Patel

Born in Gujarat, India, Purvi is a first generation American Indian who came to the U.S. after her marriage. Resident of Atlanta, Georgia, Purvi learned English and the American lifestyle rather quickly and adapted her recipes to make them appealing to her American born son.