Eric Adams
Gumbo is Southern comfort food that’s packed with flavor. Many vegan versions have beans, but the jackfruit in this version gives it a nice hearty texture that absorbs the strong flavors from the spices. Shiitake mushrooms give it the umami flavor. Serve with corn bread or whole-wheat crackers.
recipe | Darshana Thacker
Jackfruit and Okra Gumbo
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 - 15 oz cans water-packed jackfruit, drained, rinsed, and cut into 3/4 inch pieces
- 2 Tbsp Creole spice mix
- 1 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 2 medium onions, finely chopped
- 1 medium red bell pepper, finely chopped
- 2 stalks celery, finely chopped
- 1 cup shiitake mushrooms, cut into long strips
- 1 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 tsp gumbo filé
- 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
- 2 bay leaves
- 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
- 10 oz frozen sliced okra, thawed
- 1 cup cooked brown rice
- 1/2 cup minced fresh parsley leaves, plus more for garnish
- Hot sauce (optional)
- Pinch of sea salt
- Pinch of ground black pepper
Nutrition
Per serving:
- calories265
- protein6g
- fat1g
- carbs61g
- sugar6g
- fiber7g
- sodium598mg
Directions
01
- Roast flour in dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly for 5 minutes, until flour turns light brown and gives out a toasty aroma. Set aside.
- In mixing bowl, combine jackfruit, Creole spice mix, and paprika. Mix well to coat jackfruit evenly with seasoning. Set aside to marinate for 20 minutes.
- In large soup pot, combine onions, bell pepper, celery, mushrooms, garlic, filé, thyme, cayenne, bay leaves, and 1/4 cup water. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, for 10 to 15 minutes, until vegetables are tender. Add 1 to 2 Tbsp broth to keep vegetables from sticking to pot.
- Remove bay leaves from pot and discard. In bowl, mix roasted flour with remaining broth, using whisk to blend and break up any clumps if formed.
- Stir broth mixture into pot. Add marinated jackfruit, okra, rice, and parsley. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes, until flavors merge and stew thickens.
- Add hot sauce, if using, and salt and black pepper to taste. Taste and adjust seasoning.
- Garnish with parsley and serve warm.
