Asparagus in gumbo? (ingredients, chicken, cooking, pound)

[Pocopsonite]

I'm making gumbo this afternoon. I've never included okra -- never liked it.

I have all the ingredients for traditional gumbo, including chicken we smoked yesterday. I have about 1/2 pound of fresh asparagus. Do you think it would be good in the gumbo as a replacement for okra? Or should I just save the asparagus for Monday's dinner?

[grneyedmustang]

Absolutely not. You can make really good gumbo without okra. In fact none of my recipes use it. And asparagus does not go in gumbo - I mean it's your pot, but if you want it authentic, no asparagus.

[Dogboa]

Are you making a roux based gumbo? Okra gumbo or file' gumbo are generally not roux based as they are thickeners on their own. Asparagus will not act as a thickener. Personally I wouldn't use it in a gumbo, but it is your choice.

[jay5835]

You could add asparagus for the last 10-15 minutes of cooking time. I love both asparagus and gumbo, and though it has never occurred to me to incorporate the former into the latter, I am curious to find out how you liked the combination, now that you've brought it up.

[greatblueheron]

SORRY but no. Okra makes the gumbo IMHO, so I'd avoid asparagus.

But you do what you like!

[Gerania]

Why not? You'll either like it or never do it again.

[Medtran49]

I would say no to asparagus to replace okra, not even close.

[historyfan]

Just no.

[Pocopsonite]

Thanks, all.

I decided not to add the asparagus. I make dark, thick roux and don't miss the okra for thickening. We'll have the asparagus as a side with some other meal.

[rrah]

Glad you didn't include the asparagus. Just wrong for a gumbo.