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by | Mar 12, 2018 | Deciduous Shrubs

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Soup Joumou (/dʒuːmuː/; French: soupe au giraumon, lit. ‘pumpkin soup’) is a soup native to Haitian cuisine made from squash, beef, and a mix of vegetables and spices. This hearty soup is not only a culinary delight but also a symbol of Haitian independence, traditionally consumed on January 1st to celebrate the country's liberation from French colonial rule in 1804. The dish is renowned for its rich, comforting flavor and vibrant color, making it a beloved staple in Haitian cuisine. While the main ingredients typically include squash, beef, and vegetables like carrots, potatoes, and turnips, variations exist, adding to its widespread appeal and regional adaptations.

Background and Historical Significance

The dish gets its name ‘pumpkin soup’ from the main ingredient squash. When Haiti was colonized by France in the 1600s and 1700s, enslaved Africans were forced to cultivate the squash that forms the base of the beef soup known as joumou, which means squash or pumpkin in Creole. Despite being the ones who prepared, cooked, and served the soup to their French oppressors, they were forbidden from eating it themselves.[1][2] When the Haitian Revolution ended with Haiti's liberation from French colonial rule on Jan. 1, 1804, Haitians celebrated by consuming soup joumou all day, relishing the taste of freedom.[3] Haitians both at home and in the diaspora eat this soup to celebrate the first successful slave rebellion that transferred political power to its freed slave majority.[4][5] Once the soup is ready, it’s typically eaten as breakfast, lunch, and dinner on New Year’s Day and consumed into the next day as part of Ancestry Day a holiday honoring Haitian revolutionaries on January 2.

Preparation

The soup is traditionally cooked with winter squashes such as the turban squash. The meat is marinated and simmered in a saucepan until tender while the squash is cooked, and pureed, often using a blender or food processor, to create a smooth, thick consistency. This pureed squash is then added to the simmering broth and meat mixture along with pieces of beef and soup bones, potato, and vegetables such as malanga, leeks, celery, radishes, carrots, green cabbage, habanero pepper and onions. The squash is then puréed, usually in a food processor, with water and the purée is returned to the saucepan. Epis, salt, and seasoning along with lime juice, garlic, parsley and other herbs and spices are then added. Some Haitians add thin pasta such as vermicelli and macaroni and a small amount of butter or oil. The soup is always served hot and is usually accompanied by sliced French bread which is dipped in the soup.[6][4][7]

UNESCO Recognition

In December 2021, Haiti obtained official recognition for the knowledge, know-how and practices pertaining to the consumption of soup joumou on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. It was Haiti’s first inclusion on the list.[8][9]

See also

References

  1. ^ Chrisphonte, Jenna. "Soupe joumou, a symbol of freedom and hope, is a New Year's Day tradition for Haitians everywhere". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-12-30.
  2. ^ Trouillot, Lyonel (2022-01-01). "Haiti's New Year's Day soup has made headlines. But let's not be naive about its symbolism". the Guardian. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
  3. ^ University, Tracey Nicholls, Soka (2012-03-09). An Ethics of Improvisation: Aesthetic Possibilities for a Political Future. Lexington Books. ISBN 978-0-7391-7365-7.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b "Soup Joumou - the taste of freedom · Visit Haiti". Visit Haiti. 2018-12-02. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  5. ^ "Haiti's traditional joumou soup: a tasty reminder of freedom". France 24. 2022-01-01. Retrieved 2022-01-02.
  6. ^ "Soupe Joumou (Haitian Pumpkin Soup)". Retrieved 1 January 2014.
  7. ^ Green, Nadege. "Soup Joumou: A Haitian New Year Tradition, A Reminder Of A Slave Led Revolution". www.wlrn.org. Retrieved 2019-12-12.
  8. ^ Press, ed. (16 December 2021). "43 elements inscribed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage lists". UNESCO. Retrieved 16 December 2021.
  9. ^ Dehghan, Saeed Kamali (December 17, 2021). "Culture in a bowl: Haiti's joumou soup awarded protected status by Unesco". www.theguardian.com. Retrieved December 17, 2021.
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