Jambalaya Fest
It’s the 48th year for the Jambalaya Festival in Gonzales, Louisiana, set for Memorial Day Weekend, May 22, 23 and 24, 2015.
What is jambalaya? The Cajun/Creole dish is made from a mixture of meats, rice and seasonings. It can be made (separately or all together) with ham, chicken, sausage, fresh pork, shrimp and oysters, to which is added shortening, rice, onion, garlic, pepper and other seasonings.
Similar in many ways to Spanish paella, the term “jambalaya” is derived from the Spanish “jamon” for ham. Jambalaya found its way into Creole cookery in the late 1700’s where it soon took on the flavor of added local ingredients.
Of course the marquee attraction is the jambalaya, served daily, but there’s also live music and entertainment, carnival rides, cooking contests and for those tired of jambalaya, a variety of other food choices.
It’s all sponsored by the Jambalaya Festival Association.
