Pigeon Peas Festival in Diego MartinCEFR A2
24 Sept 2025
Adapted from Guest Contributor, Global Voices • CC BY 3.0
Photo by Gabre Cameron, Unsplash
Pigeon peas inspired a small food movement in Diego Martin. Florence Warrick-Joseph grew a bumper crop and, after an event course in 2014, she proposed a festival. People were unsure at first, but the group went ahead and held the first festival in 2015.
The community collected many recipes and made a commemorative book. Cooks prepared pholourie, accra, roti and a doubles with stewed pigeon peas. Warrick-Joseph also made sweets and drinks, including ice cream and a pigeon-peas wine. She later developed a gluten-free bara from pigeon pea flour and serves it with stewed peas, cucumber and tamarind sweet sauce.
Difficult words
- pea — A small round seed that can be eaten.peas
- festival — A special event to celebrate something.
- recipe — Instructions for cooking a dish.recipes
- flavorful — Having a strong and pleasant taste.
- healthy — Good for your body and mind.
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- What is your favorite dish that uses peas?
- Why do you think festivals are important for local food?
- How can we promote healthy eating in our communities?
Related articles
Milk glands in many mammals have receptors for H5N1
A study found that milk gland tissue from pigs, sheep, goats, beef cattle, alpacas and humans contains sialic acid receptors that can let H5N1 attach to cells. Researchers warn of surveillance and concerns about raw milk from mammals.
AI expands sexual and reproductive health information in Peru and Argentina
Health groups in Peru and Argentina use artificial intelligence to give sexual and reproductive health information to young and marginalised people. Projects include a Quechua chatbot and a WhatsApp platform, but experts warn of bias and access problems.
Roads, isolation and more schizophrenia hospital visits
A study in New York City found that neighborhoods isolated by roads and traffic had higher rates of schizophrenia-related hospital visits. The link was independent of traffic-caused air pollution and may reflect social and planning factors.
