Americans are not the only ones who use the pumpkin as symbolism for a beloved holiday. For centuries, Haitians have been eating pumpkin soup every January 1st, the day they gained freedom from their enslavers and became the first black republic.

Before that date in 1804, the enslaved Haitians were not allowed to eat this soup. It was reserved as a delicacy for the French enslavers who resided on the island nation. In celebration, and as a symbol of their freedom, when their independence was won, the newly freed Haitians openly drank the soup joumou that had always been kept from them, making a tradition that still stands to this day.

Even though most soup joumou is made with calabaza squash, you can substitute pumpkin and make soup joumou for you and your family this holiday season: