On Sunday night, we had some friends over, people who are from Albuquerque originally, as opposed to transplants like ourselves. I decided to make something called "Good Luck Soup,' which involves black eyed peas and okra. I did, just for the record, realize that I might be the only one who would want to eat this, so I made sandwich fixings available, too. But I was pretty excited about my soup, especially since it meant that a bag of frozen okra that I bought a few months ago would not go to waste. (You can't buy fresh okra out here for love or money. It's sad.)
The okra had to sit on the counter and defrost for a while, and at some point, the following unintentionally hilarious definition of okra printed on the back of the bag caught my eye:
"Okra, sometimes referred to as gumbo, is used often in the South to flavor and thicken soups and stews that are a specialty of that region. Originating in the West Indes, okra has been a prominent source of nutrients for Southerners for many years. It is a significant source of Vitamins A and C and magnesium and at the same time has a low caloric count."
It's funny to me that the makers of frozen okra felt the need to define a vegetable for consumers. "if we just ship this stuff out, there will be rioting in the grocery store aisles! People won't know what to do! We better attach a disclaimer." Also, I'm pretty sure that the exotic, foreign Southerners described in the definition have not been eating okra all these years for its nutritional value, considering that we traditionally either fry it or boil it beyond recognition. As for a low caloric count, that wasn't anyone's top concern last time I ate okra, either. And I've never heard anyone call okra "gumbo." But aside from that, great job, copy writers for Albertsons! Y'all should write for them there fancy dictionaries we hear about sometimes, down in the South.
Comments (9)
I'm pretty sure okra isn't called gumbo unless it is in a gumbo. That description is hilarious. Does Dan not eat okra? I know he bounced around as a kid, but I thought he had been in Texas long enough to learn to love okra and black-eyed peas.
Posted by Tim Smith | January 23, 2007 10:17 AM
Posted on January 23, 2007 10:17
beyond hilarious!
Posted by Kate :) | January 23, 2007 11:35 AM
Posted on January 23, 2007 11:35
this has nothing to do with okra but ask dan if he's going to be at the phoenix challenge conf next month. i'm coming in for it, see ya there!
Posted by Sam | January 23, 2007 3:16 PM
Posted on January 23, 2007 15:16
New Mexico is strange. Albertsons is strange. I will make it a point to look on the back of the okra bag at Albertsons here in College Station to see if they include the, um, (mis)informative disclaimer.
Posted by Joshua | January 23, 2007 6:31 PM
Posted on January 23, 2007 18:31
Oka, this is not about okra either, but I'm from Indiana, so what do I know about that. The word on the street is that Chandler is engaged....
Posted by Jon Kane | January 24, 2007 7:51 PM
Posted on January 24, 2007 19:51
This is Hannah and Daniel. Okay, so it's just Hannah- Daniel's on the phone and I'm too lazy to change the information on his computer so that it shows my name and email address. I love how they refer to "Southerners" as some prehistoric civilization, the existance of which is actually a controversial debate among Anthropologists. Though I do agree that the "Frydaddy" method of preparing "gumbo" provides a fantastic source of umm, ahh heck, who am I kidding. It just tastes of pure joy.
Congratulations to Chandler. (:
Posted by daniel | January 25, 2007 3:43 PM
Posted on January 25, 2007 15:43
This is Hannah and Daniel. Okay, so it's just Hannah- Daniel's on the phone and I'm too lazy to change the information on his computer so that it shows my name and email address. I love how they refer to "Southerners" as some prehistoric civilization, the existance of which is actually a controversial debate among Anthropologists. Though I do agree that the "Frydaddy" method of preparing "gumbo" provides a fantastic source of umm, ahh heck, who am I kidding. It just tastes of pure joy.
Congratulations to Chandler. (:
Posted by daniel | January 25, 2007 3:43 PM
Posted on January 25, 2007 15:43
Uuuh. Yea, never heard of okra called gumbo. Hmmm. In fact, the word gumbo comes from the Italian (or Spanish, maybe they're similar. Spanish would make more sense; but I know It, and I don't know Sp.) word for SHRIMP! Also a key ingredient in gumbo. Yaya!
Hey, at least you can get okra frozen! I was relieved to find that upon my return North from my exotic life in Louisiana. Though i hear that at some Asian markets you can find fresh okra...
Posted by Jeannette | January 25, 2007 8:53 PM
Posted on January 25, 2007 20:53
Hey...sorry this has nothing to do with recent writings of yours. I am just wondering about a friend of mine. I am trying to track her down. Her name is Jill Howell and after searching, I saw that you knew a Jill Howell. I live in the Jackson area and worked with her at Dillards for a while. Reading the paper this morning, I saw that there was an ATV accident in Lucedale. I am trying desperately to find out if it was the Jill that I know that was involved. My email address is shondawatkins@hotmail.com...please help me find out! THANKS a million!
Posted by Shonda | January 29, 2007 11:07 AM
Posted on January 29, 2007 11:07