in an attempt to not hijack a thread in the den any further (like it matters now :hihi: ) i thought i'd start the topic here. should gumbo have okra in it? my answer was no, unless it is specifically okra gumbo. and to answer orlando's question, i love okra. i just prefer a roux based only gumbo.
I say maybe. I rarely use it. I would say it is a good addition to a Cajun style gumbo, but not an absolute necessity. It is a requirement along with some good creole tomatoes for a New Orleans gumbo.
its a definite maybe for most i know. many times its in it and many times not. depends on if they have any or if in the mood for it. i agree with the add late or cook it down option to prevent slime.
Without Okra it would have to be called some other form of stew: The name gumbo is a derivation of the African word for okra.
The famed old fight of Okra or not. A fight that comes into my house every winter. I grew up with New Orleans seafood gumbo with okra. It's cooked down so you would have no idea it's even in there. My husband is from Lafayette and only likes chicken and sausage gumbo. I say give me a hearty okra gumbo anyday.
