Juneteenth is an American holiday celebrating freedom from slavery. Many African American families have celebrated Juneteenth since 1865. In 2021, Juneteenth became a federal holiday. Explore a brief history of this special day, then try these recipes for a delicious and healthy traditional Juneteenth meal.
On September 22, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. He stated that slaves would become free citizens. On January 1, 1863, Emancipation became law. Some Confederate states ignored this new law in rebellion, and many African Americans remained enslaved. The Civil War continued for two more years.
Because of this, slaves gained freedom at various times across the country. Months after the Civil War ended, Union forces went to Galveston, Texas to enforce the Emancipation order. On June 19, 1865, enslaved African Americans in Galveston, Texas, were freed. The following year, on June 19, there was much celebration among African Americans. This marked the anniversary and the beginning of the tradition of Juneteenth. While Juneteenth is important in African American history, it is also about gratitude and freedom for all people.
Juneteenth cuisine blends many African meal conventions with Southern United States cuisine. Red represents strength and transformation in many African cultures. For this reason, a lot of Juneteenth cuisine features this color. Southern symbols for wealth and health (leafy greens for money, black-eyed peas for good luck) are also popular. Include this delicious recipe as part of your Juneteenth meal.
Makes 4 servings | Prep: 1 hour, 40 min | Cook: 0 min
Serving size: 1½ cups
Calories: 193 | total fat: 14 g | saturated fat: 1 g | sodium: 671 mg | cholesterol: 0 mg | total carbs: 16 g | fiber: 5 g | sugars: 8 g | protein: 3 g | potassium: 452 mg
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