National Pepper Pot Day is an annual celebration feasted on December 29th of every year. Starters have a special place in the hearts of food lovers. Soup is the liquid food served first that includes vegetables or meat, and the soup varies with the ingredients.
A special variety of soup that has been famous and popular is the Pepper Pot. It is a thick spicy soup that is prepared with twelve ingredients. National Pepper Pot Day celebrates this soup related to George Washington’s army during the American Revolution.
History of National Pepper Pot Day:
The year at which the first feast of National Pepper Pot Day has been held is unknown. There is no mention about the founder of the Day. However, the origin of the Pepper Pot dates back to 1777.
During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army was fighting for the newly formed country of the United States of America. They camped at Valley Forge during the cold and harsh winter of 1777-1778. In the battle of Valley Forge, the army was feeling an unusually severe winter.
They were unable to get proper food as the farmers in that region sold all their stocks to the British Army for cash. The farmers have refused to sell their goods to the Continental soldiers as they paid only a few currencies for their crops.
A baker general of the Continental Army named Christopher Ludwick had prepared food with items he gathered to feed the cold and fragile soldiers. The chef had found some peppercorn, small bits of meat, tripe and other ingredients.
Everything was mixed with other seasonings till it attained hot, thick, and spicy soup. The soup is also called Philadelphia pepper pot. Later the soup was also nicknamed “the soup that won the war.”
How to Celebrate National Pepper Pot Day:
Celebrating the National Pepper Pot Day is quite simple. You can have a cup of Pepper Pot soup as the starter on this cold winter day. Learn about the Pepper Pot soup and how to prepare it. Gather up the ingredients necessary to prepare the soup.
Try it at your home for your family members. The most common elements included in this soup are beef or chicken, onion, garlic, ginger, allspice, thyme, bay leaf, black pepper, and chili pepper.
To make it richer, you may add some vegetables like potatoes, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, pumpkin.
How to observe National Pepper Pot Day:
Experience the flavor of Pepper Pot Soup. If you need a recipe, we’ve found one to try. Invite some friends to enjoy it with you and share the celebration.
Facts about National Pepper Pot Day:
- Famous paintings also feature the soup
John Lewis Krimmel’s 1811 painting included the soup.
- It’s in a book about Harriet Tubman
This book by Catherine Clinton is called “Road to Freedom.”
- The Army became better after 1778
Surviving the winter on the soup let the army train and become more disciplined.
- Guyana has a similar dish
It’s one of the national dishes of Guyana.
- Black women sold it first
Christopher Ludwig had a taste in Philadelphia streets then remembered the soup in the harsh winter.
