School and Community Garden Cookbook
Published by Canvasback Wellness Centre, Majuro,
Republic of the Marshall Islands, August 2025
We are really thankful to TerraCircle for providing funding to print copies of the cookbook to distribute to schools on Majuro, Wotje, Jaluit and Ebeye in the Republic of Marshall Islands. A wonderful resource for teachers to use as a guide for cooking delicious dishes using wholesome produce picked fresh from the school garden, the most highly nutritious plants can be.
It is our hope that the recipes will be shared widely to reduce diabetes throughout the Pacific where these tropical food plants are being grown and enjoyed by families.
Terracircle also provided professional assistance with desktop publishing to create this beautiful booklet. We could not have created this stunning book without their extremely generous voluntary help.
Kommol tata
Jo Dean
School and Urban Garden Mentor
Australian Volunteer Program
Canvasback Wellness Centre – Majuro
Recipe catalog
Find a recipe…
Recipe listing
Early Childhood
- Creamy Pumpkin and Coconut Mash
- Leafy Greens and Potato Puree
- Taro and Coconut Baby Mash
- Banana and Ripe Papaya Purée
- Soft Fish and Pumpkin Mash
- Cooked Fruit and Sweet Potato Mash
- Mashed Pumpkin, Greens and Fish
- Leafy Greens, Rice and Fish Purée
Mothers
Breakfast
- Moringa and Papaya Smoothie
- Bean Leaf and Pineapple Smoothie
- Banana and Coconut Pancakes
- Healthy Banana and Oatmeal Muffins
- Wellness Leafy Green Mini Quiches
- Nourishing Leafy Green, Tomato and Cheese Omelette
- Coconut Milk Yoghurt
Lunch
- How to Sprout Mung Beans and Red Kidney Beans
- Sprouted Bean Salad with Lime-Sesame Dressing
- Sprouted Mung Bean Stir Fry
- How to Sprout Beans and Lentils
- Sprouted Bean and Lentil Salad with Lime-Herb Coconut Dressing
- Spiced Lentil and Bean Patties
- Green Bean and Tomato Sauté with Garlic and Greens
- Chickpea, Corn and Fresh Bean Salad
- Garden Rainbow Vegetable Soup
- Vegetable and Sprouts Pancit Salad
- Green Papaya Salad
Dinner
- Fish with Sweet Potato Leaves in Coconut Cream
- Taro and Greens in Coconut Milk
- Eggplant and Red Kidney Bean Stew
- Lentil and Potato Rissoles
- Stir-Fried Greens with Garlic, Soy and Ginger
- Spicy Veggie Sushi Rolls with Mung Bean Sprouts
- Eggplant and Coconut Bake
- Smoky Coconut, Tomato, Bean, Pumpkin and Pepper Hotpot
- Brazilian Spinach Amaranth Tabouli
Snacks and Accompaniments
- Drying Bananas
- Drying Papaya
- Quick Snack Idea: Tropical Dried Fruit and Nut Mix
- Mokwan (Pandanus Paste)
- How to Dry Fresh Coconut by Sun Drying
- How to Dry Fresh Coconut in a Dehydrator
- Taro Brownies
- Breadfruit Muffins
- Bean Dip
- Flatbread Crackers
- Hummus with Garlic and Spring Onions
- Eggplant Dip with Sesame Seeds and Flatbread
- Simple Homemade Flatbread
- Coconut Herb Chutney
- Tomato and Onion Chutney
- Green Papaya Pickles
- Pickled Daikon Radish
- Egg Yolk and Coconut Oil Mayonnaise
Tropical Coconut Snack Idea:
Introduction
Growing food is one of the most powerful ways to support good health and deepen our connection with the world around us. In the Marshall Islands, school and community gardens are becoming places of learning, healing, and joy. They give students the chance to move their bodies outdoors, care for plants, and experience the pride that comes from harvesting, cooking and eating what they’ve grown with their own hands.
Spending time outside in the garden is good for both our physical and mental health. Children feel the warmth of the sun, breathe in the salty ocean air, and stretch their muscles as they dig in the soil, push a wheelbarrow or carry water. The breeze cools their faces, fresh herbs fill the air with fragrance, and the sweet taste of a ripe pineapple or the crunch of fresh beans reminds us of nature’s goodness. The garden brings all the senses to life—the sound of the waves, the feel of soft leaves and soil rich in organic matter, with the beauty of growing plants all around us. These small moments help us feel calm, connected, and alive.
Gardening also teaches us important values—to care for the earth, to care for each other, and to share fairly. These lessons help build strong, respectful communities and healthy habits that last a lifetime
Food that is freshly picked from the garden is full of flavour and nutrients. It supports strong bodies, healthy digestion, and clear, focused minds. Gardening and moving outdoors encourage a deep respect for nature and help build lifelong habits for health and wellbeing. When we have access to healthy food close to our homes we feel secure and have control over what we can cook with, bringing nutritious offerings to children and families. It strengthens resilience when factors out of our control impact on food supply chains. When we grow and pick from a garden, we feel healthy and safe.
We are truly grateful to the schools across the Marshall Islands who have welcomed this journey through the World Diabetes Foundation 3-year project: R.M.I. – National Physical Activity & Nutrition for Healthy Futures. With your care and commitment, you are growing more than food—you are growing healthier, happier communities. Together we have had a lot of fun on this garden to plate adventure.
Kommol tata,
Jo Dean
