Culinary Use:
– Filé powder used in Louisiana Creole cuisine for gumbo
– Different varieties of gumbo in New Orleans and Cane River
– Filé powder provides thickening and flavor to gumbo
– Filé powder made from sassafras tree leaves and stems
– Filé powder added after cooking vegetables and meats in gumbo
History and Etymology:
– Choctaw Native Americans first used sassafras leaves as seasoning
– French word “filé” means to become ropy
– “Gumbo” may come from the Central Bantu word “ki ngombo” for okra
– Okra was a common thickener in African soups in Louisiana
– Gumbo may have been adapted from West African soups and stews
Health Concerns:
– Safrole and sassafras oil banned by FDA as carcinogens
– Sassafras leaves used for filé do not contain detectable safrole
– Filé powder considered safe for consumption in reasonable amounts
Cultural References:
– Filé gumbo mentioned in country songs by Hank Williams Sr. and Gene Watson
– Filé gumbo has cultural significance in Louisiana Creole cuisine
References:
– Various books and articles provide historical and culinary insights on filé powder and gumbo
Filé powder, also called gumbo filé, is a spicy herb seasoning made from the dried and ground leaves of the North American sassafras tree (Sassafras albidum).
