Vegan Gumbo

I had the worst day in a long time this Sunday. Part of why it was so bad was because I tried to order vegan gumbo, but the restaurant ghosted me. I was deeply unsatisfied until I made vegan gumbo the next day.

• Olive oil (coat the bottom of the pan, this is an oil heavy recipe, but damnit you CANNOT mess with a roux)
• 1/4 cup flour

Heat the oil in a soup pan. Add the flour. Whisk together and stir over medium heat until the roux gets dark like chocolate and smells like nuts. Then add in

• 1 onion diced
• 4 celery stalks diced
• 1-2 bell peppers diced
• 3-4 garlic cloves

Mix with the roux and cook til the veggies get soft/translucent. Then add

• 1-2 cups of okra
• 1 can diced fire roasted tomatoes
• 2 zucchinis
• 2 summer squash
• 4 cups veg broth
• Cubes of butternut or another winter squash would also be good if it’s winter and you can’t get summer squash
• 1/4 c thyme
• 1/4 c oregano
• 2-3 tablespoons paprika
• Hot pepper flakes of choice
• Black pepper

Bring to a boil then simmer for an hour. The longer it cooks the better. Serve with red beans and rice and/or cornbread