Who are Cajun, what is Cajun? - Historum

**Zeno** · March 11th, 2011, 05:55 AM

When we make turkey, we always cover the meat with Cajun-spices, makes it taste really good and seals off the meat so it remains juicy and soft.

But who are the Cajun, did they used to be immigrated French, like the Acadians?

What are some typically Cajun things, food, feasts, folklore, dress, ...

halomanuk · March 11th, 2011, 05:59 AM

Cajun spices are something to do with the French IIRC offhand,but i the people came from Canada first (French origin),after not becoming part of the British Empire.
They are in Louisana now or similar.

**leakbrewergator** · March 11th, 2011, 06:00 AM

I'm cajun.!!

Yes, we immigrated from France via....gasp!...Canada.

Some of my favorite cajun food:

Gumbo (filet or okra)
Fried alligator tail
jumbalaya
shrimp etoufee
po boys (catfish or shrimp. Sometimes chicken)
duck
turtle soup
pig tail spaghetti

the list goes on and on....

My favorite cajun feast is easily the crawfish boil. You basically put a bunch of picnic tables together and spread some newspaper out. Then they come by with the crawfish pot and spread it all over the table. The crawfish pot usually contains red potatoes and corn to go along with the crawfish. Then they come by with a big 'ol vat of industrial strength hot sauce and drizzle it over everything. Everybody just digs in and throws the discarded shells into a predetermined bucket.

**Clemmie** · March 11th, 2011, 06:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeno

When we make turkey, we always cover the meat with Cajun-spices, makes it taste really good and seals off the meat so it remains juicy and soft.

But who are the Cajun, did they used to be immigrated French, like the Acadians?

What are some typically Cajun things, food, feasts, folklore, dress, ...

They are the Acadians.

**diddyriddick** · March 11th, 2011, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leakbrewergator

I'm cajun.!!

Yes, we immigrated from France via....gasp!...Canada.

Some of my favorite cajun food:

Gumbo (filet or okra)
Fried alligator tail
jumbalaya
shrimp etoufee
po boys (catfish or shrimp. Sometimes chicken)
duck
turtle soup
pig tail spaghetti

the list goes on and on....

My favorite cajun feast is easily the crawfish boil. You basically put a bunch of picnic tables together and spread some newspaper out. Then they come by with the crawfish pot and spread it all over the table. The crawfish pot usually contains red potatoes and corn to go along with the crawfish. Then they come by with a big 'ol vat of industrial strength hot sauce and drizzle it over everything. Everybody just digs in and throws the discarded shells into a predetermined bucket.

I really feel like Pavlov's dog here. You might also add Benets and coffee to that mix. And rice. Gumbo with rice. Etouffe with rice. Coffee with rice.

As far as festivals....Perhaps the most famous festival for the cajuns (yes....A corruption of the word acadian) is Mardi Gras. While the cajuns didn't invent Mardi Gras, they have their own unique way of celebrating it.

And if I might, to paint the cajuns solely as French acadians via Canada is just telling part of the story. Part of the charm of south Louisiana is the MANY cultures that produced it. The Spanish in particular played a large role in defining the culture there. Likewise, the antebellum south plays a large role in cajun culture, both good and bad.

**leakbrewergator** · March 11th, 2011, 06:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diddyriddick

And if I might, to paint the cajuns solely as French acadians via Canada is just telling part of the story. Part of the charm of south Louisiana is the MANY cultures that produced it. The Spanish in particular played a large role in defining the culture there. Likewise, the antebellum south plays a large role in cajun culture, both good and bad.

Of course. I was merely stating the origins. There's obviously a very strong Caribbean influence in our culture.

**leakbrewergator** · March 11th, 2011, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diddyriddick

I really feel like Pavlov's dog here. You might also add Benets and coffee to that mix. And rice. Gumbo with rice. Etouffe with rice. Coffee with rice.

The rice is a given. Gumbo w/out rice is just soup. Etoufee without rice is just wrong. I also forgot to mention dirty rice (a mixture of rice, ground beef, spices, and sometimes oysters.)

Beignets aren't a very regular part of our (at least my family's) cuisine. On a side note, I tried to make some homemade beignets once. Talk about a mess!

**diddyriddick** · March 11th, 2011, 06:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leakbrewergator

The rice is a given. Gumbo w/out rice is just soup. Etoufee without rice is just wrong. I also forgot to mention dirty rice (a mixture of rice, ground beef, spices, and sometimes oysters.)

Beignets aren't a very regular part of our (at least my family's) cuisine. On a side note, I tried to make some homemade beignets once. Talk about a mess!

May be on the Beignets (thanks for the sp. correction). IIRC, however, they are as regular as donuts are to the rest of the world. While the Cafe du Monde made them famous, they are readily available.

You might also acknowlege the produce grown in the lower Mississippi delta. There is something about that soil that produces exceptional fruits and veggies.

As an aside....My Mom was a very good cook. But one time she found a recipe for authentic duck gumbo. It was the only recipe that she never made again, IIRC.

**Charlie Bravo** · March 11th, 2011, 06:30 AM

Somebody's leavin out de boudin...

**Zeno** · March 11th, 2011, 06:45 AM

What area in America do the Cajun live in? Does it go from the Mississippi Bayou all the way to Florida? Are there any Cajuns in Texas and Mexico?