Haitians all over the world make Soup Joumou every New Year’s Day (January 1st) to celebrate the independence of Haiti on January 1st, 1804. Soup Joumou is a celebratory meal consumed together with family and friends in the spirit of overcoming incredible challenges, achieving success, and enjoying the positive offerings ahead.
Soup Joumou is a product of history. It was officially on the 1st of January in 1804 that Haiti cast off the bonds of slavery and declared its freedom from France, making history as it set a precedent and became the first post-colonial black-led nation in the world. Prior to Haiti’s independence slaves were forbidden to eat a certain soup, known to us as Soup Joumou, as it was determined to be too fine to be consumed by mere slaves. Enjoying this fine soup was one of the first actions of freedom taken as independence was won for Haiti – a product of history to be savored, treasured, and never forgotten.
Today Soup Joumou is a celebratory meal consumed together with family and friends in the spirit of overcoming incredible challenges, achieving success, and enjoying the positive offerings ahead. A delicious meal for all as you celebrate Independence Day, New Year’s Day or both. Savor the spirit of new accomplishments that will make life-changing differences, and act on your resolutions – they will happen.
Following is a recipe for Soup Joumou – our gift to you. There are numerous variations of the recipe. You may also download a recipe from Touché Market Place as a complimentary service (click here). Enjoy!
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 scallions, sliced, plus more for garnish
- ¼ cup roughly chopped parsley
- ½ tsp. dried thyme
- 1 medium shallot, sliced
- 1 scotch bonnet chile, stemmed and seeded
- Juice of 1 lime, plus wedges for serving
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 lbs. beef chuck, cut into ½” pieces
- 2 tbsp. olive oil
- 8 cups beef stock
- 2 carrots, cut into 1½” pieces
- 2 stalks celery, cut into 1½” pieces
- 1 small leek, trimmed, halved lengthwise and cut into 1½” pieces; rinsed
- 1 small yellow onion, cut into 1½” pieces
- 1 large Yukon gold potato, peeled and cut into 1½” pieces
- 1 medium turnip, peeled and cut into 1½” pieces
- ½ small green cabbage, cored and cut into 1½” pieces
- ½ small kabocha squash, cut into 1″ pieces
INSTRUCTIONS
- Puree garlic, scallions, parsley, thyme, shallots, chile, juice, salt and pepper, and ½ cup water in a blender until smooth; mix with beef in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Remove beef from marinade and dry with paper towels; set aside. Heat oil in a 8-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat. Add beef; cook, turning as needed, until browned, about 8 minutes. Add stock and and bring to a boil; reduce heat to medium, and cook, stirring occasionally, until beef is tender, about 1½ hours.
- Add carrots, celery, leeks, onion, potatoes, turnips, and cabbage; cook, slightly covered and stirring occasionally, until vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring squash and 2 cups water to a boil in a 2-qt. saucepan over high heat; reduce heat to medium-low and cook, covered, until squash is tender, about 10 minutes. Drain, reserving ½ cup cooking liquid and transfer squash and liquid to a blender; puree until smooth and set aside. When vegetables are tender, uncover, and stir in reserved squash puree; cook, stirring occasionally, until soup is slightly thick, 5–10 minutes more; season with salt and pepper and serve with scallions and lime wedges.
A Le Flambeau Foundation Culture Sharing Vignette – education for the mind and stomach
Le Flambeau Foundation Culture Sharing Vignettes are presented as part of the Foundation’s commitment to providing educational opportunities to youth in Haiti. The support of friends like you make this possible. Thank you for your on-going donations which permit future programming such as scholarships, THE SPARK of Le Flambeau, and other programming (see website). Learn more about student sponsorship options, subscribing to youth education for Haiti, or to take action and donate now. Le Flambeau Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization in its seventh year. All donations are tax deductible – ideal for end-of-year or beginning of year resolutions.
Your New Year’s Resolution is?…you have the freedom to act on it this 2014 – embrace and do. Happy New Year!