In these excerpts, which cultural theme do both authors explore?

Wangero, though, went on through the chitlins and corn bread, the greens and everything else. She talked a blue streak over the sweet potatoes. Everything delighted her.
(Alice Walker, "Everyday Use")

My mother, in a cheerful mood that evening, decided to cook a big pot of khichuri . . ., and for a change your mother insisted on helping, standing in the kitchen deep-frying pieces of potato and cauliflower.
(Jhumpa Lahiri, "Once in a Lifetime")

Family is an essential part of many cultures.
Helpfulness is a universal value across the world.
Many cultures celebrate a unique type of food.
Certain national cultures are characterized by particular religions.
Many cultures take offense if food that is offered is refused.

In both excerpts, the authors make mention of a few types of food with the intent of emphasizing cultural diversity in that matter. In the case of the second excerpt, the dish known as "kichuri" is presented, indicating a cultural preference inside the circle of characters involved in the story, and thus making it a "unique type of food" proper of a culture.

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