The initiative, stemming from participation in the local campaign "In Tàrrega, Legume Mondays", aims to raise the profile of this often-underestimated food. This proposal aligns with the recent Royal Decree 315/2025, which promotes healthier school menus, with a greater emphasis on legumes.
The "magic box" is a pedagogical resource that already includes more than twenty varieties of legumes, although the creator's personal collection exceeds forty. Through a card game, students must identify each legume, discover its origin, and learn about its culinary uses. This activity has already been successfully implemented among primary and secondary cycle students at the Vedruna Tàrrega center.
“"Students discover that there are many more legumes than they imagined and are surprised by all the possibilities they offer."
Beyond dry samples, there are plans to incorporate hydrated legumes to observe differences in size and texture after cooking. The activity is complemented by photographs of creative dishes made with legumes, demonstrating that these ingredients go beyond traditional recipes. Innovative proposals include cheese-stuffed chickpea bombs, black bean burgers, red lentil chips, and even sweet creations like bean cookies or chickpea chocolate cake.
“"Many people are unaware that legumes can also be used in sweet recipes or in more innovative formats."
The box includes unique varieties such as verdina, typical of Asturias and Galicia, the black pea from Berguedà, or the peanut, often mistaken for a nut. The project's initiator is open to expanding the initiative to other educational centers, playrooms, community centers, entities, or residences, convinced that legumes have great potential to be revalued in the diet.
