Soupe joumou, Haiti’s iconic soup of calabaza, peppers and other vegetables, has been inscribed on the UN’s representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Haitians made the traditional soup a symbol of their freedom when they gained independence from France, and serve it on January 1, Haitian Independence Day, the first meal of the year.

“The preparation of Joumou soup is a family and community affair: women manage the overall activities, children help to prepare the ingredients, artisans make the aluminum pots and other utensils used to prepare the soup, and farmers work the land to harvest the vegetables,” notes UNESCO. It’s also served for Sunday breakfast.