Name: Soup Joumou (Haitian Beef and Pumpkin Soup)
Cook time: 1 hour
Total time: 3 hours
Yield: Serves 10–12
Ingredients: 1 cup plus 1 tablespoon distilled white vinegar, divided; 1 pound beef shank, meat cut off bones into 1" cubes; 1 pound stew beef (preferably chuck) cut into 1" cubes; 1 cup Epis Seasoning Base; 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from about 1 lime); 1 tablespoon seasoned salt; 15 cups beef or vegetable broth, divided; 1 pound beef bones; 1 medium calabaza squash (about 2 pounds), peeled, cubed, or 2 pounds defrosted frozen cubed calabaza squash, or 1 butternut squash (about 2 pounds), peeled, cut into 2" chunks; 3 large russet potatoes (about 2 pounds), finely chopped; 3 carrots (about 1 pound), sliced; 1/2 small green cabbage (about 1 pound), very thinly sliced; 1 medium onion, sliced; 1 celery stalk, coarsely chopped; 1 leek, white and pale-green parts only, finely chopped; 2 small turnips, finely chopped; 1 green Scotch bonnet or habanero chile; 1 1/2 cups rigatoni; 6 whole cloves; 1 teaspoon garlic powder; 1 teaspoon onion powder; 2 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more; 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more; Pinch of cayenne pepper, plus more; 1 parsley sprig (optional); 1 thyme sprig (optional); 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter; Crusty bread (for serving); A very large stock pot (at least 10 quarts)

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Photo by Chelsea Kyle, Food Styling by Jennifer Ophir

Enslaved Haitians were not allowed to have this delicious and aromatic pumpkin soup, a favorite of the French who held people in slavery. On Sunday, January 1, 1804, when the enslaved gained their freedom, they celebrated with music and food in the Place d’Armes, in the city of Gonaives. And what better way to celebrate than to eat the very thing they were unable to eat under slavery? Nowadays it doesn’t matter where in the world a Haitian might be on January 1—they will be having the soup of freedom.

Cooks' Note

This soup feeds a large crowd. If you have a smaller crew or smaller pot, feel free to halve the ingredients. You might need to add extra liquid while cooking. This recipe's headnote has been updated as a part of our archive repair project.

Recipe notes

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