Martine’s Haitian Squash Soup (Soup Joumou)

Ingredients

• • 1 lb (454 g) top sirloin, cubed
  • 1 tablespoon (15 ml) lemon juice
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 2 teaspoons (10 ml) Haitian épices du chef (a spice blend sold in Haitian stores.)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 ml) olive oil
  • Onion salt and garlic salt to taste
  • 2 carrots, peeled and cut into small cubes
  • 2 celery stalks, diced
  • 1 leek, white part only, chopped
  • 3 green onions, chopped
  • 1 turban squash (about 1.3 kg/3 lb), peeled and grated (about 1.5 litres/6 cups)
  • 6 cups (1.5 litres) chicken broth (approximately)
  • 2 potatoes, peeled and cut into large cubes (optional)
  • 1 sweet potato, peeled and cut into large cubes
  • 3 tablespoons (45 ml) chopped flat-leaf parsley
  • Salt and pepper