Gumbo History

[Smokin Don]

Being interested in Cajun and Creole cooking and the history of their cuisine I found this short article that I think sums it up pretty well. Since I am not from that area my opinion may not be that great!    Don

http://food52.com/blog/10105-the-history-of-gumbo

[Ka Honu]

As the author admits, "Determining the exact origin of gumbo is nearly impossible." Having said that, hers is as good a story as any.

[sliding_billy]

Whatever the history, I love it.  Been too long since I had it though.

[Pappymn]

So we have the British to thank for Cajun food in America? About time they contributed something

I liked the article.

[TwoPockets]

Love Gumbo! My gumbo leans toward the traditional Cajun style. I use file' instead of okra and always sausage and either chicken thighs or seafood depending on what is in season.

[KyNola]

It's Acadia, not Arcadia.

[TwoPockets]

It's Acadia, not Arcadia.

Makes you wonder about how good their research is don't it?

[KyNola]

It's Acadia, not Arcadia.

Makes you wonder about how good their research is don't it?

Bingo.

[HighOnSmoke]

Interesting article!

[Smokin Don]

It's Acadia, not Arcadia.

If you look it up it was originally Arcadia! Don

[teesquare]

Maybe true Don...but when you say: "Cajun it is Louisiana influenced French patois ( pah-twah) for "Acadian" . Evolved thru the last couple hundred years of  language adaptation .
Acadian - proper, to pronunciation of "ah-cod-JYUN", to the current  more English influenced "cajun".....

[CDN Smoker]

Not to stir up trouble    But did not the French roots come from Canada

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louisiana_(New_France)

I really like the map on the right showing what the countries looked like way back then.

[teesquare]

Not at all Drew! The Acadians ( current day Cajuns) migrated from Eastern Canada - mostly Quebec, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland, and Prince Edward Island. They came to the New World seeking religious freedom as they were persecuted by the Catholic Church in France. Then as the French Catholic Church's influence became stronger in Canada....they were forced to move again - seeking safety and religious freedom. Following the drainage of the Mississippi River - they wound up in Louisiana primarily. But he culture is also well established in East Texas, Miss., and Alabama. Even Souther Ark. claims a sizable population that identifies as Cajun.

[Ka Honu]

I always heard that the Acadians were expelled by the British for primarily loyalty rather than religious reasons (Seven Years War/French & Indian War). I think a lot of the ones who ended up in Louisiana were originally deported to France and then "retransported" to Louisiana by the Spanish (who then owned the place).

[CDN Smoker]

Quebec is talking separation again, do you need another 8 million