It’s Holy Thursday in New Orleans, so it’s the annual return of gumbo z’herbes and that means there are 9 new friends out there I’m waiting to meet this year. Who are they?

Holy Thursday at @dookychaserestaurant is one of the great community food days of New Orleans.

Gumbo z’herbes is not a special - it is a happening here that takes over the kitchen entirely. Preparation begins days in advance. This green gumbo, fried chicken and cornbread comprise the entire one-day menu.

The gumbo itself is a hearty mix Creole flavor and Catholic faith. The tradition also brings the restaurant’s own community role into focus by convening so many people who feel a connection to it.

While vegetarian gumbo z’herbes recipes are traditionally prepared for Good Friday, following the Catholic stricture of meatless fasts, Dooky Chase’s meaty gumbo z’herbes became a Holy Thursday staple to fortify the faithful before those deprivations. It’s made with brisket, ham, at least two types of sausage and stew meat in the mix.

Lore and ritual are also key ingredients to the dish, especially in the Chase kitchen. The number of greens used in cooking must be an odd number and is said to represent with how many new friends you’ll make. 

This year had 9 greens - so look out friends I haven’t met yet.

#wherenolaeats #igersneworleans #nolaeats #nolafood #gumbo #nolafoodie #creole #creolefood #neworleansfood Less