Gumbo - Bringing People Together

Please join New Cahokia Commons Urban Farm on Sunday, Nov. 12, at our Growin For Gumbo Dinner & Pie Auction fundraiser! You’ll get a taste of a rich and flavorful culinary heritage that reaches back to West-Central Africa. 

Gumbo is a flavorful stew combining ingredients and culinary practices of several cultures, including African, French, Spanish, and the Choctaw peoples. “A Gumbo” is also an event or a gathering- such is the tradition of this dish bringing people and families together.

The word “gumbo” means okra, which is a key ingredient in this delicious dish. Some argue, “if there’s no okra in it, it ain’t gumbo.” In any case, the West-Central African tradition of gumbo brought to these shores in Louisiana through the slave trade took the okra (for thickening) along with the French technique of creating a roux (a mixture of fat and flour browned to add flavor and thickness to a soup or gravy), and incorporated the Native American contribution of file` powder from the sassafras tree (also a thickener - now usually just a condiment). The most important thing to know when making gumbo is that good gumbo cannot be rushed - the flavors need time to get along. Add seafood, greens, sausage, tomatoes, chicken, and peppers - and you’re on your way to a memorable meal. 

On Nov. 12 at Growin’ for Gumbo, Nisha Martin-Schmidt, our master gumbo chef, will offer vegetarian gumbo, and traditional gumbo. Your meal will include a drink. Proceeds from Growin’ for Gumbo will help New Cahokia Commons Urban Farm construct two high tunnel growing structures to extend the growing season year round.  

Support fresh, local food grown by BIPOC farmers by getting your tickets at Eventbrite today: https://GrowinForGumbo.eventbrite.com

Learn more about the rich, delicious history of gumbo here:
https://64parishes.org/entry/gumbo?gclid=CjwKCAjw1t2pBhAFEiwA_-A-NLkbih8CLslegfR21ToVoWb_yhc4ktTv5oswiUdaRjgtG2Y3l_tVQRoC7b8QAvD_BwE