The Three Sisters Parable: Preserving Native American Tradition
The Three Sisters parable is near and dear to my soul. Â I have a significant, yet undetermined, blood quantum hailing from Mvskoke and, possibly, Pawnee tribes. My maternal uncle is on the board of elders for the local Muscogee here in the Florida panhandle. However, I’m still investigating my paternal bloodline and, where Native American roots are involved, that is difficult terrain. Â I hope to learn more about my heritage.
The Three Sisters story, told differently by each tribe, tells of three sisters who learn to depend on each other – that the other’s weakness was their strength.  The Southeastern tribes usually share a version like this:
A woman had three daughters who continuously fought.  She prayed and had a dream one night.  Each of her daughters represented a different seed.  She planted them all in the mound together, and they grew.  One became squash. One daughter became beans. The third daughter grew into corn.
Beans could only crawl on her belly on the ground. Corn grew tall, but her roots were susceptible to the sun. Squash was squat and sturdy. Â Since they grew together in the same mound, beans entwined with corn and grew up her tall stalks. Â Squash shaded the roots of both plants. Â The mother shared her dream with the girls the following morning, and the girls got the message: You need each other. You are stronger when you work together.
While there is a definite moral to the story, Native Americans used this parable to remind their children how to grow these three staples which, to this day, are known as the Three Sisters.
Chayote Squash
Traditionally, Three Sisters Soup (or stew) uses winter squash and makes an appearance on Thanksgiving dinner tables and fall corn festivals. Â However, I adore summer bounties. I also use more of southwest flavor combination (and chayote originates from Mexico and South America), so it’s not technically how my people probably would have prepared it, but the soul of the vegetable combination still resonates with me.
For a brief time, a unique variety of summer vegetables pop-up in the farmer’s markets. During the warmer months,  grocery store shelves beckon with fresh, sweet corn and unusual varieties of squash.
This soup recipe capitalizes on chayote, a rather bizarre looking squash. Â It’s small, green, and resembles a pear. Â The chayote, like most summer squash, Â bears a mild flavor and combines well in many dishes. The seed is edible, but you can discard it if you prefer.
I found mine, individually wrapped in plastic bags, at Publix on the very top shelf above the zucchinis. Â However, if you cannot locate it, and asking the produce manager bears no fruit (grin), feel free to substitute any other summer squash such as yellow squash or zucchini.
This hearty soup offers a bounty of protein, lots of fiber, and a host of nutrients. Â It’s also delicious and beautifully colored.
Three Sisters Summer Soup
Yields: 4 servings |
Three Sisters Stew is a hearty traditional Native American staple. This Three Sisters Summer soup varies a bit using summer squash instead of the traditional winter squashes.
This filling soup satisfies the tummy and the eyes with a bounty of color and flavor.
- 3 green onions, chopped - separate whites and greens
- 1 red onion, chopped
- 2 red bell peppers, diced
- 1 Chili pepper, diced (more or less to taste)
- 2 chayote squash, diced
- 2 1/4 cup corn kernels, fresh or frozen
- 1 (14oz) can Kidney beans, rinsed and drained
- 1 (14 oz) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (14 oz) can diced tomatoes, drained
- 4 cups vegetable broth
- 2 tsp Cumin
- 2 tsp Coriander
- 1 tsp Paprika
- 1 tsp salt
Microwave corn according to package directions (if frozen). If using fresh, microwave for about 5 minutes. Set aside.
While corn is cooking, spray a stock pot or large dutch oven with a bit of oil. Add white parts of green onions and saute for about a minute.
Add red onions, squash, and peppers. Saute for about 5 minutes.
Add in beans, tomatoes, salt and spices. Cover
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer till the vegetables are tender to your liking (about 10 minutes for my family).
Serve into bowls.
Top with corn and green onions.
Nutrition
- Calories: 314
- Fat: 1 grams
Alicia Taylor
We enjoy hosting parties and my husband and I are both avid gamers. You can find me on PS4 as SunshineFlaGirl. We also play tabletop RPGs and eurogames.
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46 Comments
Heritage: Shiva Temple | What's (in) the picture?
May 20, 2017 - 3:54 am[…] Three Sisters Summer Soup • TaylorLife […]
LauraFunk
July 14, 2016 - 12:37 pmLove the colors and ingredients in this recipe. I had no clue what Chayote squash was. I will have to check our farmers markets
Alicia Taylor
July 14, 2016 - 3:03 pmI hope you find it 🙂 It’s tasty
Ashley Sparks Mullins
July 12, 2016 - 7:46 pmThis looks really tasty and super healthy. I’ll be sure to try this out!
crystal
July 12, 2016 - 3:46 pmHaving three children, I can relate to the mother in the parable. I need to share this lesson & soup with them next time they are fighting (won’t take long!!!).
Elizabeth O
July 12, 2016 - 2:50 pmThat three sisters soup sounds divine. I plan to try it out in my kitchen this week. Yummy!
Scott
July 12, 2016 - 2:28 pmPictures look fantastic, but don’t think I can find that type of squash around here. Any others you’d recommend as a substitute?
Alicia Taylor at Taylorlife.com
July 12, 2016 - 3:14 pmYep – like it says in the post – any summer squash would work. Zuchinni and yellow squash are both great options.
Nicole Escat
July 12, 2016 - 10:10 amOh my goodness! This is really tempting and for sure my family would love it! I’ll try your version.
Alicia Taylor
July 12, 2016 - 11:54 amAwesome! Be sure to let me know if you tried it!
Marcie W.
July 12, 2016 - 7:56 amThis soup seems chock full of deliciousness! I love the story behind it as well.
Alicia Taylor
July 12, 2016 - 11:54 amThanks, Marci! I love culture – and knowing the story behind things makes them special.
Ellen Christian (@ellenblogs)
July 12, 2016 - 7:56 amThat sounds absolutely amazing. I don’t think I have ever seen a Chayote Squash in my grocery store before. I’m going to have to check again.
Alicia Taylor
July 12, 2016 - 11:55 amI had to look pretty hard. I found them on the very top shelf, wrapped in plastic bags. If your produce manager says they don’t have them, feel free to sub any squash.
April Hammond
July 12, 2016 - 7:52 amMy MIL found chayote squash growing in her backyard, lol. She didn’t know what it was and took it to the local farmers market. We love it! That soup sounds very tasty!
Alicia Taylor
July 12, 2016 - 11:56 amThat’s an awesome find! Be sure to let me know if you try it!
Kathleen Kennedy-Leon
July 12, 2016 - 7:15 amalways looking for easy different summer time meals. Appreciate the step by step instructions and pictures-hope mine comes out as good as yours! looks yummmmmy!
Alicia Taylor
July 12, 2016 - 11:56 amIt was definitely yummy 😀 Let me know how you like it.
Barb Webb
July 12, 2016 - 6:40 amThis looks like a very refreshing soup that takes full advantage of summer produce. My favorite type of recipe, yum!
Alicia Taylor
July 12, 2016 - 11:57 amIt’s also versatile – if you can’t find one type of squash – use another. That’s also handy. I love anything easy.
Erlene A
July 11, 2016 - 11:59 pmSounds like a delicious veggie soup recipe. My kids are soup eaters, so this is something they would enjoy.
Alicia Taylor
July 12, 2016 - 11:57 amYou should definitely let them try it!
laura londergan
July 11, 2016 - 11:59 pmthis sounds like the perfect summer meal. It’s so hard coming up with new things and this would be a good one
Alicia Taylor
July 12, 2016 - 11:57 amAnd it’s easy!
Chelley @ A is for Adelaide
July 11, 2016 - 11:39 pmWhat a delicious summer soup! I would love to make this- I know even my kids would love it! Great idea!
Alicia Taylor
July 12, 2016 - 11:58 amBoth my kids are grown, but I know what it’s like trying to satisfy children with picky tastebuds. Let me know how they liked it!
CourtneyLynne
July 11, 2016 - 11:11 pmOmg can we say yum?!?! This looks absolutely delicious! I must give your recipe a try!!!
Tammilee Tips
July 11, 2016 - 11:03 pmThis looks delicious!! Being vegetarian I am always looking for new meatless recipes to try out.
Alicia Taylor
July 12, 2016 - 12:00 pmI was a vegetarian for 10 years – and became pescatarian about a year ago – after moving back to the coast. I eat mainly veggie, still, though. It’s my favorite way to eat, still – and I LOVE soup!
Samantha Pierce
July 11, 2016 - 10:47 pmThis looks like a really great soup, I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Valerie Gray (@valmg)
July 11, 2016 - 9:02 pmI don’t think I have noticed chayote squash here, I wonder if we have it. I think my husband would really enjoy this recipe.
Alicia Taylor
July 12, 2016 - 12:00 pmIf you can’t find it, sub any other squash.
Liz Mays
July 11, 2016 - 6:56 pmI love the story behind the recipe. That makes the recipe even more special, but it’s clearly delicious regardless.
Dawn McAlexander
July 11, 2016 - 4:39 pmThat looks really tasty! I love salads, especially during the summer. They make for a nice, cool lunch!
Alicia Taylor
July 12, 2016 - 12:02 pmWell, I hope you like soup, too. This is a soup recipe. If it comes out as a salad, something really didn’t go well.
Nellwyn Lampert (@cardinalpress)
July 11, 2016 - 4:21 pmThis looks super yummy! I love soup but I don’t usually think to make it in the summer. Will have to give this a try!
Alicia Taylor
July 12, 2016 - 12:02 pmThis one is so quick. I like light meals in the summer.
More Than A Mom Of 3 (@MoreThanAMomOf3)
July 11, 2016 - 3:43 pmThis looks delicious! So light for summer, Im going to add it to my menu next week.
Alicia Taylor
July 12, 2016 - 12:03 pmBe sure to let me know if you like it.
Neely (@Neelykins)
July 11, 2016 - 2:14 pmI love a good loaded soup! This one sounds amazing!
Robin Rue
July 11, 2016 - 2:09 pmThat soup sounds fantastic. I can’t wait to make it 🙂
Melissa
July 11, 2016 - 2:03 pmWhat a delicious summer soup idea, I am totally making this to see if I enjoy it as much as you do! It’s super easy to make too!
Alicia Taylor
July 11, 2016 - 2:27 pmBe sure to let me know if you like it!
littlemisscant
July 11, 2016 - 1:58 pmI have never seen that squash before, I am not even sure we have it here where I live.
What a neat story..good luck on your search.
Alicia Taylor
July 11, 2016 - 2:27 pmThank you 🙂 I found it at Publix, but you can also substitute any other squash.
tamaralikecamera
July 11, 2016 - 10:58 amIt does look like a pear! I love summer soups, and especially ones with such history.