Louisiana Swamp Turtle Gumbo - Authentic Cajun Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 - 6 lbs. turtle meat
• oil
• 1 - 2 lbs. smoked sausage, cut into 1 pieces
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 1/4 cups chopped celery
• 1 1/4 cups chopped bell pepper
• 2 tbsp minced garlic
• 1- 14oz. can chopped tomatoes
• 1 cup cut okra
• 2 tbsp roux (flour gravy)
• 1 - 2 tbsp Cajun seasoning
• 2 cups water or turtle broth
• salt and pepper
• Louisiana hot sauce
• cooked rice

Instructions

Boil turtle meat in salted water until tender. Remove meat and save broth.

Chop meat into 1" to 2" pieces.

Place a small amount of oil in a Dutch oven or large pot.

Add turtle meat and lightly brown on all sides. Remove meat.

Add a little more oil if necessary and lightly saut' the onion, celery and bell pepper.

Add the garlic, tomatoes, okra, roux and Cajun seasoning.

Stir in 2 cups of water or turtle broth.

Mix in the turtle meat and sausage. Add salt and pepper and hot sauce to taste.

Heat to boiling, reduce heat and simmer 2 - 3 hours stirring occasionally.

Adjust seasoning as needed and add more water or broth if needed.

Serve over cooked rice and enjoy.