Gumbo
It takes its name from a Bantu word for okra, one of the dish's typical ingredients, which is prized for its ability to give body to a sauce. Gumbo is a thick soup or stew often served over rice. It is of Louisiana Creole origin and comes from the time when slave ships docked at the port of New Orleans for re-supply.
The dish combines ingredients typical of several local cuisines, including celery, bell pepper, onion, parsley, okra, and filé powder. Gumbo is usually made with seafood (usual shellfish), sausage or chicken, and a roux, which is either dark brown or almost black.
Gumbo has its cultural roots in some of the earliest interactions between Europeans and Africans on the North American continent, particularly those involving food and religion, as well as other cultural interactions.
The African origin of okra may explain one of the reasons that gumbo is often thickened with this vegetable or with filé powder, an herb made from ground dried sassafras leaves, introduced to Louisiana by Choctaw Indians in the early 18th century. Many varieties of gumbo exist and have been documented throughout history.
They usually begin with a dark roux, the combination of flour and fat cooked together until it is brown. The roux for gumbo is made by cooking equal parts of fat (traditionally lard though Cajun cooks often substitute vegetable oil) and flour over medium heat. Because of this step, which can take up to an hour, gumbo is often considered to be one of the "long-cooked" Louisiana dishes. Gumbo is traditionally made in a cast-iron pot or Dutch oven.
Gumbo is typically made with a rich dark roux but can be made without it. Seafood is usually not used in Louisiana Creole cuisine but shellfish such as shrimp are common in the Creole gumbo. Shrimp, ham, chicken, duck or oxtail are also occasionally used in place of the more traditional pork.
Gumbos often include onions, celery, and bell peppers. Most gumbos start with a roux, which is used as a thickener for the stew-like dish. Gumbos often include the holy trinity of celery, bell peppers, and onions. The fond (brown bits) left in the bottom of a pan after cooking meat or vegetables is sometimes added to provide additional flavor.
Global gumbo production
Gumbo is a popular dish in Louisiana, and its popularity is spreading around the world. Gumbo production has increased in recent years to meet global demand. In 2016, Louisiana produced 3.8 million pounds of gumbo, up from 2.6 million pounds in 2013. The majority of this production comes from three parishes: Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Tammany.
Gumbo is traditionally made with a roux, which is a mixture of flour and fat (usually butter or oil). Other ingredients include chopped vegetables (such as celery, onions, and bell peppers), seafood or meat (such as chicken, sausage, or shrimp), and seasonings (such as garlic, file powder, and cayenne pepper). The dish is typically served over rice, and it can be garnished with green onions, parsley, or filé powder.
Gumbo is a popular dish for both casual and formal occasions. It is often served at festivals and parties, and it is also a popular choice for wedding receptions and other special events. Gumbo is not only popular in Louisiana, but it is also gaining popularity around the world. In recent years, gumbo production has increased in order to meet global demand. In 2016, Louisiana produced 3.8 million pounds of gumbo, up from 2.6 million pounds in 2013. The majority of this production comes from three parishes: Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Tammany.
Gumbo is traditionally made with a roux, which is a mixture of flour and fat (usually butter or oil). Other ingredients include chopped vegetables (such as celery, onions, and bell peppers), seafood or meat (such as chicken, sausage, or shrimp), and seasonings (such as garlic, file powder, and cayenne pepper).
The dish is typically served over rice, and it can be garnished with green onions, parsley, or filé powder. Gumbo is a popular dish for both casual and formal occasions. It is often served at festivals and parties, and it is also a popular choice for wedding receptions and other special events. not only in Louisiana but around the world.