Philadelphia Pepper Pot

Philadelphia pepper pot is a traditional thick and hearty soup made with tripe, veal, and vegetables. The complete list of ingredients is quite long, and follows: beef honeycomb tripe, butter, onions, celery, carrots, leeks, bell peppers, veal, macaroni or spätzle, garlic, tomatoes, and potatoes. The dish is typically flavored with bay leaves, oregano, basil, thyme, black pepper, and salt. However, the ingredients may vary as there are many recipes for this comforting dish. Due to the fact that the soup is prepared with so many ingredients, it requires slow simmering for more than 2 hours. In the 19th century, this African/Caribbean dish was sold on the streets of Philadelphia, and it is believed that pepper pot came to the city with the influx of enslaved people.