FincaPerlitas
Senior Cook
I've never tried roasting beets, but it sounds great. I'll give it a try.
Taste is subjective - that's about all I can say about that.
Beets - they are AWESOME roasted!!!! So are turnips, eggplant, Brussels sprouts, shallots, cherry tomatoes, asparagus (I guess I like roasted veggies) To roast, drizzle with a bit of olive oil and a sprinkling of kosher salt.
Also, try pickled beets or search for a recipe on the Internet called Harvard Beets. Very good!
Okra is essential in gumbo because it acts as a thickening agent for the roux. If you overcook it the okra becomes tough and stringy, and oddly enough, the thickening disappears. You can also use file gumbo a form of okra if you don't want to buy the real thing. Works just as good. It's in the spice section of your supermarket. Pronounced Fillee gumbo.
Sorry DramaQueen, ChefJune is correct & you are TOTALLY incorrect about the "file" powder frequently used as a thickening agent for gumbo.
It is in NO way shape or form connected to okra. It consists of ground Sassafrass leaves.
I don't know which pronounciation is correct, perhaps both, but it reminds me of the great Hank Williams classic song Jambalaya (On The Bayou), later covered by countless other artists. He pronounces it FEE lay.
Take a listen: YouTube - Hank Williams Sr. - Jambalaya (vinyl rip/alternate
version)
Make sure you get WHITE turnips. Those yellow things some folks call "turnips" and others call "Swede," are really rutabaga, and they're the only veggie I could live forever without.
I love the really small Japanese turnips that come with their greens attached. I slice and saute them with some garlic and sometimes red onions, and when they're all browned and crispy, I toss in the greens and let them wilt. It's SO good!
I could write you a whole book on eggplant. I dearly love it, and prepare it often, in season, in many, many ways, from salads to moussaka. and don't get me started on Baba Ghanouj!
Hey, anyway Hank Williams pronounces it is okay with me. I like this version better than Patti Page's. At least I think it was Patti. I'm not so sure about anything anymore.