Vegetable Gardens

» Sally125 - Okra Gumbo

In response to Okra Gumbo posted by bobcajun:

I'd love to try it. I love experimenting with regional cuisine. When I visit someplace new, I don't like the tourist attractions. I like to go into the little towns, find the busiest little cafe and meet the "real" people and eat the "real" food of the people. Patois (language of the people) is a part of what makes every person unique and I just love hearing it. I went on a trip to Louisiana last year and my otherwise wonderful host drew the line at letting me eat crawfish. He said "nobody eats that stuff." But I know they DO, and I really wanted to try the local version but I didn't want to offend him in order to do so. Oh well, someday I will.

Down east on the North Carolina coast, we had a similar situation as the Cajuns. The inhabitants of Harkers Island and the Outer Banks were isolated from the mainstream for so many years, they retained what is actually a very strong "Old English" version of English (like the original colonists), complete with a strong Cockney flavor. They're referred to as "high tiders." These days, the islands are not isolated and it is only the older generation that continues to speak the colorful brand of English. All their "o's" have the oi sound.

I have a down east phrase for you which you may not have heard. It is "pure tee mommicked." That means someone has been treated very badly or has had a very bad time, as in "Poor thing. He's pure tee mommicked." Since you have been so generous, I am going to post you a recipe in an upcoming blog for an authentic Down East clam bake. You'll like it, I promise - if you like clams. Another interesting piece of trivia, our famous Eastern outdoor pig pickings began as a custom of the pirates and Native Americans.

-Sally

-- posted by Sally125