From Our Family To Yours
From Our Family To Yours was written by the students of Chicas Verdes’ Garden Program at Da Vinci Connect TK-8
Introduction
To me, a Pupusa is the smell of toasted corn, savory cheese, and earthy loroco; it fills the air around me. I feel comfort, peace, and home. That feeling is exactly what this cookbook was created to capture.
It holds the dishes that bring our families together—the ones we crave after a long day, the ones that carry us back into the memories of the ancestors who first created them. For many of our students, the recipes they share in this cookbook are a part of everyday life—shared during holidays, family gatherings, trips, and after-school meals. Through this project, they had the opportunity to explore how these dishes are made, who and where they come from, and what parts of the dishes they could grow in a garden. In doing so, they connected more deeply to their roots and to the cultures that shape who they are today.
Food is more than a necessity. It is an art. With every new pair of hands, a recipe evolves, while still holding onto the love and meaning it carries. Food is also deeply tied to our memories, creating a sense of nostalgia and reminding us of moments filled with joy, family, and belonging.
As students conducted at-home interviews with their relatives and loved ones, they sparked conversations about family and history; parents had the opportunity to share ancestral knowledge with their children. We had the privilege of watching them document recipes that have been passed down and will continue to be passed down for generations.
This book reflects the voices of students from Kindergarten through 8th grade, each sharing a piece of their story. Every recipe is written in its own unique way, just like each student who contributed to it. We are grateful to the Da Vinci Connect community for making this experience possible, and we hope you try one or many of the recipes shared here!
While you eat, remember that the preparation of each dish begins long before it reaches the table. The nourishment you are receiving comes from both the natural world and the people who power our food systems. Think about the soil, seeds, and the energy of everyone who worked to grow, pack, transport, and cook the meal.
When Chicas Verdes students learn in the garden, they’re not only growing food; they’re growing a relationship with nature, with nourishment, and with the wisdom of where our meals come from. May this cookbook be an invitation to taste those roots, and to honor the land that continues to hold and feed our communities.
With that, please enjoy “From Our Family to Yours…”
Kenia Beltran
Program Coordinator, Chicas Verdes