Why the Dutch eat hotchpotch on October 3
On October 3, many Dutch eat carrot hotchpotch known as "hutspot". This is mashed potato with carrot and onions, served with smoked sausage. Some add little bacon strips and/or cheese dice to it. Why? To commemorate that on October 3, 1574 the siege of the city of Leiden by the Spanish troops finally came to an end.
In 1568, Dutch rebels had taken up arms against the rule of the Spaniards. A few years later, in 1573, the Spaniards besieged the rebel city of Leiden. Although the rebels defended themselves well, even after fighting a whole year, they had been unable to lift the siege. Finally, in September 1754, they broke the dikes to let the seawater pour into the low, reclaimed land around the city and literally flush the enemy out. Unfortunately, it took until October 3, 1754 for a big storm to finally push the water far enough through the dikes to make the Spaniards flee.