Freedom and Free Books!

FREEDOM AND FREE BOOKS!

Last night, I happened to come across a program where two women were discussing Soup Joumou. Now, I am no cook but I do make soup, often, and so although I don’t watch food shows in general, this one seemed unique because of the historical connection.

Soup Jomou is made of several ingredients but a main base is squash. You can find out the ingredients by googling the name of the soup. This soup comes from a tradition evolving from the Haitian Revolution in the 1700’s. Enslaved people were forced to make this soup for the rich and the plantation owners but forbidden to make it for themselves. When they freed themselves from Colonial enslavement, people who left Haiti for Louisiana brought the recipe with them and on Haitian Independence Day each year, they make it and enjoy the taste of freedom in every spoonful.

By coincidence, this morning, in my e-mail, I received an invitation to join the Free Books Project at Newton Friends Meeting for Squash Soup on Saturday! Unfortunately, I was unable to visit this Saturday, but once again, I was impressed with the generosity and creativity of the Free Books Project at Newton Friends.

Also, for the most successful early gardeners, I believe we are in or approaching that season when the prolific squash rises in abundance and becomes widely available, often for free from gardening friends, so what a great time to find the recipe that suits your taste and to think of the long noble history of this healthful soup. Bon Apetit!

Jo Ann Wright wrightj45@yahoo.com