What Is Gumbo?

Have you ever had gumbo so good that you wanted to know the history behind it? The dish is one of the most recognizable in the world — and it has become known for New Orleans.

In this article, we’re going to tell you everything you need to know about gumbo, that favorite dish for many in the South.

What Exactly Is Gumbo?

Gumbo is a stew mostly found in the southeastern part of the United States, especially in Louisiana, where is is the official state dish.

Gumbo is similar to several other stews, but what separates it is the “Holy Trinity” of ingredients — onions, celery and bell peppers. There are several other ingredients to make gumbo, but it also has a healthy amount of flavored meat, including sausage, beef, chicken, duck, alligator and shellfish.

The dish also has plenty of “roux,” a flavorful thickener which, along with okra, holds the stew together.

Where Did Gumbo Originate?

The word “gumbo,” originates from the term “gombo,” which is a West African word which roughly translates to “okra” in English.

The dish comes from several different international cultures although it is documented that in the mid 1700s, Africans cooked an okra and rice dish eerily similar to what we’d consider gumbo today.

Did Gumbo Come From Africa?

Historians have been able to trace a variation of gumbo to West Africa, although there were several different ingredients made what was available to be grown in the region, which is understandable.

One thing that solidifies that notion that gumbo comes from the Motherland is the word itself, which many believe comes from the African word ki ngombo, which describes “okra” in West Africa.

Scholars believe that Africans abducted in the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade bought the tradition of gumbo to the New World.

How Did Louisiana Become Known For Gumbo?

Because of gumbo’s popularity in southern Louisiana, the whole state has embraced the dish. You can find gumbo on restaurant menus from the southernmost border of the state to the northernmost border, not to mention the millions of kitchens in between.

Final Word

If you want to know what is one of the most popular dishes in the Southeast, it’s called gumbo.

Gumbo is South Louisiana’s most famous dish and it’s what the city prides itself in. Here’s where to get dat good dumbo in New Orleans.

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James Johnson

James Johnson is a writer originally from New York City. She has lived in the South for the last 15 years and enjoys Creole cooking and shrimp and grits.