ZUNI, N.M. (Nov. 20, 2025) — The Zuni Youth Enrichment Project launched its annual three-part series of Family Cook Nights at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 29, with 14 families joining the ZYEP food sovereignty team virtually through Google Meet. Participants ranged from small children to elders, and turnout reflected growing community interest in the program.
According to Brittny Seowtewa, ZYEP’s food sovereignty coordinator, registration was at full capacity by the second day of posting. The team had to close registration earlier than anticipated due to high volume.
“It was a great indication that Family Cook Night is gaining popularity in our community,” she said. “Many families were brand new to the program.”
Family Cook Night is a vital part of ZYEP’s year-round food sovereignty initiative. Scheduled once per month in October, November, and December, this free program provides families with recipes, cooking kits, and instruction for preparing a healthy, plant-based entree, side dish, and dessert from scratch.
In the past, ZYEP hosted three families at Ho’n A:wan Park with the rest joining virtually. This year, Seowtewa said the team decided all-virtual events would be best.
“We have significant limitations in our ZYEP kitchen,” she explained. “It was challenging to host even three families without having the oven give out or feeling cramped. By going virtual, families get to cook in the comfort of their own homes and enjoy the meal as a family.”
Even with the all-virtual format, Family Cook Nights remains both easy and fun, an engaging project that includes family members of all ages.
It also strengthens bonds within the community, because families see and interact with other families throughout the evening. Seowtewa noted that Family Cook Night is essentially a community meal that feeds up to 100 people across participating families.
During the live demonstration, Seowtewa said she and Khassia Hattie, one of ZYEP’s food sovereignty leaders, could hear family members’ comments through the audio feed. Zachary James, another food sovereignty leader, monitored the group chat and made sure any questions were directed to the right people.
“The majority of the time, the youth were answering our questions,” Seowtewa remembered. “It was the cutest thing to hear their little voices in the chat! We made sure families also knew they were welcome to ask questions and share stories.”
The October 29 Halloween-themed menu featured Remi’s Ratatouille, Frankenpasta (rotini with basil pesto sauce), garden salad, and frozen fruit sorbet. James said he enjoyed being able to share a unique recipe like ratatouille, which many people might only have seen in movies.
“My favorite part of the session was ratatouille making,” he said. “While the families plated their vegetables, we played the song from the movie ‘Ratatouille.’ It brought me back to childhood, always wanting to try the dish but only imagining it. We were able to make it a reality, for myself and 14 other families!”
Hattie said she really enjoyed trying these new recipes with families as well.
“Not only does Family Cook Night bring families in our community together, it also introduces new foods,” she said. “One of my missions at ZYEP is to expand people’s palates, diversify their meals, and ensure that they have the knowledge and tools they need to make delicious and nutritious plant-based dishes.”
Each family also received a miniature food processor, and Seowtewa said that providing access to this special equipment was an important element of the October session. Not only did it improve the overall experience, it ensured that the session would run smoothly for all families.
“We used the food processor to make the pesto with fresh basil, pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper,” she explained. “We also used it to make the frozen fruit sorbet.”
The next Family Cook Night is scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 20 at 5:30 p.m. Curated by popular request, the menu will feature creative Asian-inspired dishes: an easy homemade ramen packed with vegetables, Asian carrot salad, steamed edamame, and mango sticky rice.
“A significant amount of what people request comes from what is trending on social media, and the most requested foods from previous surveys were Asian cuisine,” Seowtewa said. “We test the recipes for ease, accessibility of ingredients, and taste profiles, and then we’ll modify them if necessary to make them more accessible for our community members.”
Being able to purchase the ingredients locally is very important to the ZYEP team. They source products that local grocery stores—Halona Marketplace and Major Market Inc.—have on their shelves.
In December, the final Family Cook Night is likely to fall during Zuni’s annual winter fasting. That means recipes must be fat-free and vegan, so the team is planning to create a Three Sisters stew (corn, beans, squash), traditional Zuni blue corn tamales, and roasted fresh pumpkin with agave and cinnamon glaze.
With guidance from its Agricultural Advisory Committee, ZYEP’s food sovereignty initiative is dedicated to providing access to resources, instruction and knowledge sharing to people of all ages and abilities. Made possible with support from the New Mexico Department of Health, Newman’s Own Foundation, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), Partnership with Native Americans (PWNA), and Seventh Generation Fund, the initiative brings community members together on a seasonal agricultural journey that incorporates prepping, planting, nurturing, harvesting, seed saving, healthy recipes and cooking.
To learn more about the Zuni Youth Enrichment Project and its programs, and for information about making donations, partnering with ZYEP, and volunteering, call (505) 782-8000 or visit zyep.org. And, to stay up to date on the latest news and events, follow the nonprofit youth organization on Facebook (/zuniyouthenrichmentproject), Instagram (@zuniyouthenrichmentproject), YouTube (/ZuniYouth), and TikTok (/zyep09)
Founded in 2009, the nonprofit Zuni Youth Enrichment Project is dedicated to promoting resilience among Zuni youth so they will grow into strong, healthy adults who are connected with Zuni traditions. ZYEP fulfills its mission by providing positive role models, enriching programs, and nurturing spaces that contribute to the healthy development of Zuni youth. ZYEP strives to provide every child with the encouragement and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.