gumbo crossword clue – All Crossword Answers
Searching for the answer to the 'gumbo crossword clue'? You've landed on the right page! We've compiled all possible solutions, along with detailed explanations, to help you complete your puzzle. Whether you're looking for a short answer or a longer, more descriptive term, we've got you covered.
Solutions for "gumbo crossword clue" by Letter Count
4 Letters
OKRA: A common, mucilaginous ingredient used to thicken and flavor many gumbos.
STEW: A thick, savory dish, often interchangeable with gumbo in a broad sense, focusing on its consistency.
SOUP: A general category that gumbo, being a liquid-based dish with various ingredients, falls under.
ROUX: A fundamental base made from flour and fat, crucial for thickening and flavoring many traditional gumbos.
5 Letters
CAJUN: Describing a style of gumbo, originating from the Cajun people of Louisiana, known for its robust flavors.
6 Letters
CREOLE: Another distinct style of gumbo, often associated with New Orleans and typically featuring tomatoes and a milder spice profile than Cajun gumbo.
More About "gumbo crossword clue"
Gumbo is a hearty stew, often considered Louisiana's official state cuisine, with deep historical and cultural roots. Its name likely derives from the Bantu word 'ki ngombo' for okra, reflecting one of its primary ingredients. The dish is a true melting pot, blending culinary traditions from West Africa, France, Spain, and Native America.
There are generally two main types: Cajun gumbo, typically made with a dark roux and often without tomatoes, relying on a savory trinity of celery, bell peppers, and onions; and Creole gumbo, which often includes tomatoes and may feature seafood prominently, reflecting New Orleans' urban, cosmopolitan influences. Both styles can include a wide variety of meats (chicken, sausage, seafood) and vegetables, and are usually served over rice.
In crossword puzzles, clues related to gumbo often test your knowledge of its ingredients (like okra or roux), its regional styles (Cajun, Creole), or its general classification as a type of stew or soup. Understanding these connections is key to solving such clues.
Tips For Your Next Puzzle
- Check Letter Count First: Always match the clue to the number of available squares. This helps eliminate many possibilities quickly and is crucial for clues like "gumbo" that might have multiple valid answers of different lengths (e.g., OKRA vs. CREOLE).
- Consider Context and Origin: Gumbo isn't just a dish; it's cultural. Think about related terms like its key ingredients (OKRA, ROUX), its regions of origin (CAJUN, CREOLE), or the type of dish it is (SOUP, STEW).
- Look for Synonyms and Categories: While 'gumbo' is specific, think of broader categories it fits into, like 'stew' or 'soup', which are common crossword answers for similar clues, especially if the letter count fits.
For more advice, visit our page on general crossword strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a gumbo in a crossword puzzle context?
In crosswords, 'gumbo' often refers to the dish itself, but also its key ingredients like OKRA or ROUX, or its regional styles such as CAJUN or CREOLE. The specific answer depends on the number of letters and other intersecting clues in the puzzle.
Are there common alternative names for gumbo in crosswords?
While not alternative names, common crossword answers for 'gumbo' related clues often include broader terms like STEW or SOUP, depending on the number of letters required and the specific nuance of the clue. These are often used when the clue hints at the dish's general nature.
Why is 'OKRA' a common answer for 'gumbo' clues?
Okra is a primary ingredient in many traditional gumbos, used both for flavor and as a natural thickener (due to its mucilage). Its strong, direct association with the dish makes 'OKRA' a very common and direct crossword answer for 'gumbo' clues, especially for four-letter slots.