The district’s Office of Equity and Inclusion hosted a virtual Nuestra Cocina gathering on January 29, inviting students and families to learn about different New Year’s cultural traditions and recipes.
During the event—Nuestra Cocina literally translates to “in our kitchen”—three participants shared recipes for three traditional New Year’s meals: vegan collard greens, black-eyed peas, and Jamacian ackee and saltfish.
Participants also shared some of their New Year’s traditions. Dayson Pasión, a middle school equity specialist, presented the Twelve Grapes Spanish tradition.
“On New Year’s, twelve grapes would be eaten to signify each month of the coming year,” Pasión said. “With each grape consumed, a wish is made for the New Year.”
Trilce Marquez, an elementary school equity specialist, added that the tradition is also about fellowship. “The person you eat the grapes with will be with you at the end of that year,” Marquez said.
Tiffany Boston, the district’s high school equity specialist, then demonstrated how to cook vegan collard greens, noting that the dish “symbolizes good luck in the New Year.”
The second dish was presented by elementary equity specialist Esther Mateo-Orr, who shared her recipe for black-eyed peas. While the meal is frequently eaten on New Year’s, Orr shared that her family’s fondness for the dish extends throughout the year.
The final dish was Jamaican ackee and saltfish, delivered by Shaniece Robinson, an educator in the district. Before preparing the dish, Robinson and two students presented a slideshow about the history and origins of the Jamaican breakfast staple.
The Office of Equity and Inclusion will hold similar events in February and the coming months. Its next Nuestra Cocina will take place on February 26 in honor of Black History Month and feature chefs from Chapel Hill’s Mama Dip’s Kitchen and Corner Boys BBQ in Raleigh.
“I enjoy the creative ideas coming from our Office of Equity and Inclusion,” the district’s Public Information Officer Jeff Nash said. “The Nuestra Cocina events are a terrific example. The camaraderie of cooking together in a relaxed setting is very appealing, and the new recipes are delicious!”
