Contraction of “gumbo aux herbes.”  Lenten “green” gumbo served in New Orleans and South Louisiana traditionally either on Maundy Thursday, the Thursday before Easter Sunday, or Good Friday.  When served on Maundy Thursday, it includes a variety of greens, usually numbering seven or some odd number for “luck,” and some form of meat.  On Good Friday, when Catholics fast from meat, it is meatless or contains seafood.  Gumbo z'herbes may have originated with French, Germans, or West Africans. It has similarities to the French dish potage aux herbes ("soup with herbs"), as well as to the African callaloo. Germans also traditionally eat soup made with seven herbs or greens, for luck, on Maundy Thursday.

Lexicogropher: Jennifer Edwards