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National Gumbo Day

Food · October 12

A day for gumbo, the thick Louisiana stew built on a dark roux and served over rice, and for the many ways cooks make it their own.

National Gumbo Day falls on Tuesday, October 12, 2027. That is 350 days away.

Gumbo is a thick, savory stew from Louisiana, usually ladled over a scoop of white rice. It starts with a roux, flour cooked slowly in fat until it turns the color of peanut butter or darker, and that roux gives the pot its deep, toasty flavor.

From there, every kitchen has opinions. Many cooks begin with onion, celery and bell pepper, a trio often called the holy trinity in Cajun and Creole cooking. Chicken and andouille sausage are common. So are shrimp, crab and oysters. Some versions thicken with okra, others with filé, a powder made from dried sassafras leaves, and plenty of families will tell you which one is correct.

The roux asks for patience. It needs steady stirring over moderate heat, and if it scorches, the only fix is to start again. People who make gumbo often talk about the roux the way others talk about bread dough, as something you learn by watching and smelling more than by timing.

Gumbo tends to be a crowd dish. A big pot feeds a table, and many cooks say it tastes even better the next day. If you save leftovers, cool them promptly and refrigerate, then reheat until steaming hot, especially when seafood is involved.

A bowl usually comes with a little hot sauce on the side, some sliced green onion on top, and maybe potato salad, which some Louisiana families stir right into the bowl.

Ways to celebrate

• Try making a roux and stir it slowly until it turns deep brown.
• Cook a pot of gumbo and share bowls with neighbors or friends.
• Ask a relative or friend how their family makes gumbo.
• Taste filé powder or okra to compare the two thickeners.
• Look for a local restaurant that serves gumbo and order a bowl.

Dates

All national days on October 12

Also on October 12

• National Pulled Pork Day
• National Savings Day

Categories: Food days