| The origin of gumbo, a soup-like dish featuring some | | | | from their native country. In numerous pictures of a |
| type of meat or seafood and usually served on rice, is | | | | present day gumbo, you will discover crawfish, but |
| often attributed to the French, however the name itself | | | | they weren't used for anything else but bait until the |
| was an African translation for the word "okra", which | | | | mid 1900's. Many of the first meats used in gumbos |
| was a staple food of the slaves brought over in the | | | | were everything that could be trapped or shot, as well |
| 17th and 18th century. This is much closer to the | | | | as, but not limited to squirrel, muskrat, possum, etc. |
| truthfulness concerning the origin of Gumbo and many | | | | Seafoods included shrimp, oysters, scallops, etc. |
| of the gumbo recipes still continue to treat okra as a | | | | Gumbo has a very rich taste and thick consistency, |
| supplementary thickener, as well as file' powder which | | | | and comes from the cooking traditions of the French, |
| was introduced by the American Choctaw Indians, | | | | Spanish, Indian and African settlers and inhabitants of |
| together with the roux. | | | | the area. Gumbo has been called the best addition to |
| Gumbo is a stew or soup, originating in Louisiana, which | | | | American cuisine by the Louisiana chefs. Gumbo was |
| is mainly popular across the Gulf Coast and southern | | | | introduced by black cooks to the white slave owners. |
| portion of the United States. Having originated in New | | | | Gumbos can be loosely separated into two categories: |
| Orleans, Louisiana, basically named by the French, | | | | Those using okra as a thickener, those thickened with |
| gumbo is the outcome of the melting of cultures in | | | | file' powder, however all gumbos will exclusively include |
| Louisiana history. The dish itself is based on the French | | | | roux. |
| soup bouillabaisse, added with the "Holy Trinity," of | | | | Even though the the dish may perhaps be recognized |
| gumbos (celery, onions and green peppers) which is of | | | | exclusive to Louisiana, the neighboring states of Texas, |
| Spanish origin, and the use of file' powder (ground | | | | Mississippi and Alabama, as well as the area next to |
| sassafras leaves) which is a Native American | | | | Charleston, South Carolina, and Brunswick, Georgia |
| contribution of the Choctaw Indians. | | | | enjoy the tastes and reputation of producing a fine old |
| Last, but not least, African slaves brought okra, food | | | | fashioned gumbo. |