Did you know that January 1st is Haitian Independence Day? For Haitians, January 1st is not only the first day of the year but also an historic day for them.
On January 1, 1804 Haiti was liberated from France – commonly known as Independence Day in Haiti! Before January 1st, 1804 , Haiti was named Hispaniola (little Spain) because It was colonized by Spain
To celebrate this historic day, Haitians have a traditional meal which is “Soup Joumou.” This soup is made from pumpkin, beef, potatoes, and green vegetables. It is always served hot and is sometimes accompanied with a sliced bread which is dipped in the soup.
Soup Joumou means freedom and reminds us of our independence and lets us know that we are free. Everywhere in the country families have Soup Joumou with their children and friends. It means freedom, joy, and victory for Haitian people as the first black independent nation. Raise a spoon and celebrate Haiti’s Independence Day!
If you would like to make Soup Joumou, here is my Mother’s recipe!
Stovetop Soup Joumou
1 whole pumpkin (Caribbean or Haitian pumpkin) 2 ½ – 3 lbs.
1 small cabbage
1 lb. Beef cubes
2 lbs beef bones
1 lbs salted pig feet
3 packs of fresh celery
1 lb. Fresh vegetable 8 blend (Haitian spices)
Salt and pepper to taste
1 bulb Garlic
Juice from 5 to 10 lemons or limes
1 pack of fresh parsley and thyme
3 green plantains
1 yellow yams
1 white yams
2- turnips
2 tablespoon tomato paste ( for the meat)
2 tablespoon olive oil
4 carrots
10 cups or more Water plus extra for cooking
3 potatoes
3-4 taros
5 green onions
1 whole green pepper
Maggi bouillon
To Marinate The Meat
Mix all the meat together, add the lime or lemon juice to them. Let it rest for 15 to 30 minutes. Rinse the meat and add the ingredients below to it.
1 Cup Haitian Epis
2 Tbsp. Ground Fresh Ginger
2 Tsp. Kosher Salt
2 Tsp. Black Pepper
2 Tsp. Ground Cloves
Cook the meat under it halfway cooked. Then, add plantains, yams, potatoes and some water. Meanwhile use another pan to cook the pumpkin (it is not squash). Blend the pumpkin once it is done (make sure it is not too thick) and add it to the meat and starch mixture. Let it boil to medium heat, add your parsley, maggi cubes, salt if needed, pepper, green pepper, thyme, some butter and let it boil.
- 3rd Annual Career Breakfast - May 29, 2024
- Philosopher’s day, what is that? - January 23, 2024
- Soup Joumou (Pumpkin Soup) - December 28, 2023
