Louisiana Is Fierce About What Does and Does Not Go in Gumbo

(Lafayette, LA) - When it comes to making gumbo in Louisiana, no one is shy about referencing what they do and do not want in their ingredient list. It's a truly fierce conversation in Lafayette and Acadiana.

Where you live in Louisiana likely determines what you will and will not put in your gumbo, and if you discuss it with someone from another part of our state, arguments can break out over what absolutely does not belong in gumbo.

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In Lafayette and surrounding areas, if you dare tell someone that tomatoes are a base ingredient in your gumbo, you might not even realize those are fighting words. Where have you ever eaten gumbo in Acadiana that lists tomatoes on its ingredients list? You haven't, because it's forbidden to any good Cajun.

It's hard to believe a difference of 150 or so can drastically change what someone uses in their gumbo, but that's how it is for us in Louisiana. It's something you just know whether you live in Acadiana or New Orleans. You can check out the explanation in Southern Living. Or, you could just go ask your MawMaw.

When you ask people from this area, they'll tell you there are several things besides tomatoes they just don't like in their gumbo.