October 12, 2022 - National Farmer's Day | National Gumbo Day

Welcome to October 12, 2022 on the National Day Calendar. Today we celebrate those who work the land and a Southern melting pot. Farmer’s Day has been celebrated since the mid 1800s and it’s easy to see why. These folks contribute to much more than just the food on our table. Their hard work affects everything from manufacturing to transportation, producing a whole host of products from leather goods to textiles and even the ethanol in our gas tanks. These days it’s more important than ever to support your local farmers. Even city slickers can do their part by purchasing from farmer’s markets and visiting restaurants that take pride in their farm to table menus. On National Farmer’s Day, celebrate the way of life that sustains us all. When we think of gumbo, the hearty stew of seasoned vegetables and seafood or meat, we immediately think of Southern cooking. For this we can thank its older West African roots that blended with Native American and European traditions to create a culinary classic. Traditional recipes call for okra, a vegetable that thickens things nicely, but you may have also heard of gumbo filé. This Choctaw spice made from dried sassafras root, also thickens the stew and was most likely used when okra was out of season. And if all else fails you can leave the cooking to an expert! On National Gumbo Day, celebrate this stew that is a true melting pot of flavors. I’m Anna Devere and I’m Marlo Anderson. Thanks for joining us as we Celebrate Every Day Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices