Haitian Heritage Pumpkin Soup
Haitian Heritage Pumpkin Soup, also known as Soupe Joumou, is a deeply symbolic and flavorful dish traditionally enjoyed on New Year’s Day to commemorate Haiti's Independence Day. This vibrant and savory soup is a cornerstone of Haitian cuisine and history, representing freedom and unity. The soup combines tender marinated beef with earthy calabaza squash and a variety of fresh vegetables. Distinctly Haitian with its vibrant use of spices and aromatic herbs, Soupe Joumou is enjoyed by Haitian communities worldwide as a reminder of the past struggles and the hope for a prosperous future. It embodies the richness of the culture and the enduring spirit of the people.
10
Servings
400
Calories
26
Ingredients
Ingredients
calabaza fresh pumpkin
2 lbs (peeled and cut into large chunks)
beef bones with marrow
1 lb
chuck or stewing beef
1 lb
fresh limes or sour oranges
1-2 (cut in half)
scallions
2 (chopped, including the green tops)
garlic cloves
4 (crushed and minced)
thyme
1 teaspoon
pepper
1/4 teaspoon
salt
2 teaspoons
shallot
1 (minced)
onion
1 large (chopped)
chives
2 fresh (minced)
green pepper
1 (sliced thin)
pikliz haitian spicy pickling vinegar
2 tablespoons
celery ribs
4 (cut in 1-inch pieces)
cabbage leaves
12 (cut in 4 pieces each)
leek
1 (well-cleaned and sliced in 1-inch pieces)
turnips
2 small (peel cut in 1-inch pieces)
carrots
2 large (peel cut in 1-inch pieces)
whole cloves
4-6
spaghetti or macaroni
1/2 cup (or mixed with egg noodles)
potatoes
2 large (peeled and cut in 4 pieces each)
butter (optional)
1 tablespoon
Scotch bonnet or habanero peppers
2 (whole with stem and pricked with a fork twice)
flour
2 1/4 cups
salt
1 teaspoon
Instructions
1
Begin by making the pumpkin purée: In a medium pot, combine the calabaza pumpkin and 1 whole Scotch bonnet pepper (pricked with a fork) with 6 cups of water. Cook over medium heat for 30 minutes. Remove the pepper and purée the pumpkin in the cooking water using a blender until smooth.
2
Prepare the beef: Clean the beef bones and chuck in lime or sour orange juice, rinse with cold water, and drain. Create a spice rub by grinding 4 minced garlic cloves, thyme, pepper, and half of the sliced scallions with 2 teaspoons of salt. Rub this mixture onto the beef, letting it rest for at least 1 hour.
3
Marinate the beef: Combine the rubbed beef with chopped scallions, onion, additional garlic, minced shallot, chives, sliced green pepper, pikliz, salt, and black pepper. Allow the beef to marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for deeper flavor.
4
In a stockpot, add the marinated beef and 1 cup of water. Cook covered over medium heat for 40 minutes.
5
To the cooked beef, add 3 more cups of water and the puréed pumpkin. Bring to a boil and continue cooking for 40 minutes.
6
Add the chopped celery, cabbage leaves, leek, carrots, and whole cloves to the pot. Cook, uncovered, for an additional 20 minutes.
7
Prepare the dumplings (Boulettes de Pâte or Donmbwey): In a bowl, mix flour, salt, and 1 cup of water until smooth, without lumps. Shape the dough using a tablespoon and drop the dumplings into the boiling soup, taking on small, irregular shapes.
8
To the soup, add the pasta, quartered potatoes, whole pricked Scotch bonnet peppers, and butter. Add dumplings to the soup and cook, uncovered, for another 20 minutes.
9
Taste the soup and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed.
10
Serve hot and enjoy this traditional and culturally rich Haitian dish!
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
50g
Carbs
20g
Protein
10g
Fiber
5g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Haitian Heritage Pumpkin Soup?
Haitian Heritage Pumpkin Soup, also known as Soupe Joumou, is a traditional and symbolic dish from Haiti, representing freedom and unity.
When is Soupe Joumou traditionally served?
The soup is traditionally enjoyed on New Year’s Day to commemorate Haiti's Independence Day.
What is the primary vegetable used in this soup?
The soup features earthy calabaza squash, which is puréed to create a vibrant base.
What types of meat are included in the recipe?
The recipe calls for a combination of beef bones with marrow and chuck or stewing beef.
How is the beef prepared before cooking?
The beef is cleaned with fresh lime or sour orange juice, rinsed, and then rubbed with a spice mixture.
What ingredients are in the spice rub for the beef?
The rub is made from minced garlic, thyme, pepper, scallions, and salt.
How long should the beef marinate?
The beef should marinate for at least 1 hour, or up to 24 hours for a deeper flavor profile.
How do you make the pumpkin purée?
Cook calabaza chunks and a Scotch bonnet pepper in water for 30 minutes, remove the pepper, and blend the squash until smooth.
What are Boulettes de Pâte or Donmbwey?
They are traditional Haitian dumplings made from flour, salt, and water, shaped into small, irregular pieces.
What kind of pasta is used in Haitian Pumpkin Soup?
You can use spaghetti or macaroni, sometimes mixed with egg noodles.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe is designed to serve 10 people.
What are the nutritional facts for one serving?
One serving contains approximately 400 calories, 15g of fat, 50g of carbohydrates, and 20g of protein.
What is Pikliz and how is it used here?
Pikliz is a Haitian spicy pickling vinegar used in the marinade to add heat and acidity to the beef.
Which fresh herbs are used in the soup?
The recipe uses fresh thyme, chives, and scallions to provide aromatic depth.
How do you handle the Scotch bonnet peppers during cooking?
The peppers are kept whole with the stem but pricked twice with a fork to release flavor without excessive heat.
What vegetables are added to the soup stock?
The soup includes cabbage leaves, leeks, carrots, turnips, celery, and potatoes.
How long does the beef cook before adding the pumpkin purée?
The beef is cooked covered for 40 minutes with a small amount of water before the purée is added.
Is butter required for this recipe?
Butter is optional but can be added at the end for extra richness.
What is the total ingredient count for this dish?
The recipe utilizes 26 different ingredients.
Can you use habanero peppers instead of Scotch bonnet?
Yes, habanero peppers can be used as a substitute for Scotch bonnet peppers.
How much fiber is in a serving of this soup?
Each serving contains about 10g of fiber.
What aromatics are used in the beef marinade?
The marinade includes scallions, onion, garlic, minced shallot, chives, and sliced green pepper.
How are the carrots and turnips prepared?
They should be peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces.
Why are beef bones with marrow included?
Bones with marrow provide a rich, deep base and additional nutrients to the soup stock.
How do you shape the dumplings?
The dough is shaped using a tablespoon and dropped directly into the boiling soup.
When should the pasta be added?
The pasta is added in the final 20 minutes of cooking along with the potatoes and dumplings.
Is this soup considered spicy?
It has a kick from the Scotch bonnet peppers and pikliz, but the heat is balanced by the sweet pumpkin and hearty vegetables.
What is the historical meaning behind Soupe Joumou?
Historically, enslaved people were forbidden from eating this soup; after independence, it became a symbol of their freedom.
What should the final consistency of the soup be?
The soup should be thick and hearty, filled with vegetables, meat, pasta, and dumplings.
Should the soup be served hot or cold?
It is best served hot to appreciate the full range of spices and aromatic herbs.