Pumpkin Soup or Soup Joumou: A Taste of Haitian Freedom

This cooking class will be held on Friday, October 16th, at the Nourish Building in downtown Portland. Date: Friday, October 16th Time: 5:00–8:00 PM Location: Nourish Building, 34 NW 1st Ave, Portland, OR 97209 Why Do Haitians Eat Pumpkin Soup, or Soup Joumou? Soup Joumou is much more than a delicious Haitian pumpkin soup. It is a powerful symbol of freedom. During the colonial era in Saint-Domingue, now Haiti, enslaved Haitians prepared elaborate foods for their French colonizers while living under a brutal system of slavery that denied them freedom and dignity. Soup Joumou was one of the dishes the slaves were not permitted to enjoy. After Haitians defeated the French and declared their independence on January 1, 1804, Pumpkin Soup or Soup Joumou became a symbol of their newly won freedom. Today, Haitians around the world continue the tradition of eating Soup Joumou on January 1st to celebrate Haiti’s Independence Day and honor the courage, resilience, and freedom of their ancestors. In this hands-on class, we’ll explore the history and cultural significance of Soup Joumou while learning different ways to prepare this delicious Haitian soup. We’ll also make French baguette and Haitian bread from scratch to enjoy alongside our Soup Joumou. What Should You Bring? A good attitude! An open-mind. A smile. A bowl or container to take some leftovers home, just in case. Come ready to cook, learn, eat, and experience a delicious piece of Haitian history. See you on October 16th for some Soup Joumou!