Pic of this soup is here: http://buttoni.wordpress.com/2010/1...eggplant-gumbo/

HAM EGGPLANT GUMBO

Came up with this gumbo for lunch with just bits of stuff I had in the fridge and freezer. Man, was it ever good! And filling! Makes a large pot for 7-8 people, so expect to have leftovers. This would freeze well, so no problem. This recipe is OK for Induction. If you’re in OWL, 2 T. rice wine vinegar is WONDERFUL in this!


INGREDIENTS:

1 meaty ham bone (mine yielded 12 oz. meat)
1 14.5 oz. can crushed tomatoes, low sodium
2 c. chopped celery
2 oz. chopped onion
2 oz. red bell pepper, chopped
2 oz. green bell pepper, chopped
5 oz. frozen cut okra
3 c. chicken broth
1½ c. peeled eggplant, diced
¼ tsp. Tobasco (about 12 drops)
Dash cayenne pepper and black pepper
4 cloves minced garlic

DIRECTIONS: Place ham bone in large soup pot. Dice celery, bell peppers, onion and eggplant and add around ham bone. Pour in tomatoes and chicken broth. Add last three ingredients and bring to boil. Then lower to lowest setting and simmer 1 hour. Stir every 20 minutes. Remove ham bone to cutting board and let cool a bit. Then cut off and dice all usable lean meat and add to soup, stir and serve. Lovely with a nice green salad.

NUTRITIONAL INFO: Serves 8 one-cup servings, each contains:

111 calories
2.75 g fat
8.85 g carbs
3.10 g fiber
5.75 g NET CARBS
13.35 g protein
804 mg sodium

This was really good! I am thinking of making again with everything the same except using turkey! Thanks Peggy

Should be GOOD!

This was good,my husband ate two bowls,some fresh shrimp added in would have made it a "true" gumbo. I don't think the eggplant or okra should be added until the last 15 minutes or so as they cook quickly,and I couldn't see any visible signs of those veggies! Still good and I will probably make it again,good use of that hambone hanging out in the freezer and the fresh eggplant coming in out of the garden. Thanks!

Oh, yes, shrimp is good added to any gumbo. I think I've posted my full-shabanag gumbo on the site. With this, I was actually expressly trying to make one withOUT seafood. Yes, I usually add the okra last.

I've made this twice,no more ham bones in the freezer but the eggplant,bell pepper and okra are still coming in from the garden. I'm making this tonight with Hillshire Farms smoked sausage,along with a nice tossed salad.

Mmmm. You're making me hungry for this again. Glad you're enjoying this flavor combination. Can't go wrong with smoked meats and eggplant, IMO. Enhances so many Cajun dishes.

Yep,my husband really like the smoky flavor the sausage gave it. I have cooked eggplant 3 different ways this week,so think I'll freeze the rest of the gumbo. ;-)

I think Gina's idea of using turkey is intriguing, too. I'll have to try that one day, Gina!