Anyone who knows me can tell you, gumbo is my favorite thing to eat in the. whole. wide. world.
The. whole. wide. world.
Whelp, a couple of weekends ago I had the distinct pleasure of attending the 24th Annual World Championship Gumbo Cook-Off sponsored by the Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce.
Imagine the scene: When I came within a mile of Bouligny Plaza on Main Street in downtown New Iberia, I was hit with the wonderful aroma of roux, the rich, dark goodness forming the base of the gumboey goodness to follow.
Closer in, I was engulfed by the sights and sounds of the Festival; crowds slowly gathering, gumbo teams (almost 100 of them) stirring and cooking away when they weren’t carrying on and entertaining the crowd.
The smell of seafood permeated the air: shrimp, crab, oysters – and alligator.
I also had the privilege of serving as one of the judges of the booth decorations, and skits presented by the teams – complete with costumes:
To say that hilarity was the order of the day is an understatement:
MonMon, PawPaw and “TP”
(TP wanted me to zoom in for his closeup):
Once the judging was out of the way and 11:00 a.m. rolled around, it was time to eat and enjoy the gumbo!
Chicken and sausage gumbo, seafood gumbo and exotic gumbos including rabbit, alligator, “green” . . . .
and even gluten-free!
I have to admit that by the end of the day, I’d eaten four bowls of gumbo, taken three bowls home and earned this:
Don’t judge me.
Ahem.
So, you wanna know how to eat rabbit gumbo?
With a spoon, of course!
Join in the Fray: Would you try rabbit gumbo? What’s the most exotic food you’ve ever eaten?
Copyright © 2013 Michelle Matthews Calloway, ASwirlGirl™, The Swirl World™, All rights reserved.
Mark,
I like rabbit anyway, so having it in gumbo was just another way to enjoy it. I’ve heard of Rocky Mountain Oysters and know what they are, but I’ve never tasted them. I have had pickled quail eggs, and I liked them. Quail is also nice as an alternative to chicken.
Elle,
I thought about you – and got some “Green gumbo.” I plan to try my hand at making it this winter. I’ll let you know how it turns out.
Yes, I would try rabbit gumbo. It sounds delicious.
Most exotic food? It’s not that exotic in Texas, but I like Rocky Mountain Oysters. Michelle, if you’ve spent much time in the Lone Star State, who probably know that of which I speak. And another delicacy I ran across in Dallas: pickled quail eggs. Good stuff!
Are you a vegan?
If you are, Thumper is perfecly legal for a vegan to eat!
(chucklea @ “Thumper”
Why, you say???
You know that old truism, “You are what you eat” ?
Well, rabbits are vegans, too!
See???
So, go to the butcher shop, take a deep sniff of the rich, protein-filled environment, and say, “I want 2 Texas Jacks, please!”
After you do that, let us know, and we’ll tell you how to prep your vegan-bbit, okay?
Ha!
Looks like a great time! And there won’t be any rabbit for me!
Hugs,
Elle
What.
Ever!
Yes…..your gluten-free pancakes.
I
Rest.
My.
Case.
Chile, what you talkin’ bout? Lots of people eat gluten free! Remember those gluten free pancakes I posted about? (http://theswirlworld.com/2013/07/19/have-you-tried-this-yet/)
I have to admit I haven’t done much research on it. What I do know is that many vegans, and people with certain medical conditions try to eat gluten free foods. I’m thinking the roux for this gumbo was made with gluten free flour. I really wish I’d tried it but opted to get a green gumbo instead. *Shrugs*
April, how did you like the alligator? I personally like it grilled rather than fried. I’ve had it in jambalaya and Sauce Picante, and it was very good. I didn’t try the rabbit gumbo but I’ve eaten dishes made with rabbit. It’s pretty good. LOL! 🙂
There is NO SUCH THING as “gluten-free gumbo.”
NO.
SUCH.
THING.
The Hollywood “star” who popularized this atrocity of GF is a skinny heifer (how’s that for an oxymoron?) with a medical condition. It is NOT recommended by MDs with any measure of common sense.
BUT….given the American fascination with trends and style, GF has taken off in popularity, and has earned a place in the American rubric.
Sigh.
Le Sigh.
El Sigh-o.
Whatever.
No, I wouldn’t try rabbit gumbo. Alligator on a stick was my most exotic food.