FLORIDA GUMBO

1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 cup celery, chopped
1 cup green bell peppers, chopped
1 cup onions, chopped
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
4 cans (16-ounce each) tomatoes, undrained
1 pound fish fillets, cut into 3-inch pieces
1 pound blue crab meat, cartilage and shell removed
1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
1 pint oysters, undrained
2 teaspoons granulated garlic
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
1 teaspoon crushed oregano
1 teaspoon basil
1 teaspoon thyme
2 teaspoons file
TO SERVE:
1/2 cup green onions, thinly sliced
4 cups cooked rice

Melt butter or margarine in large Dutch oven or soup pot. Add celery, green peppers, and chopped onions; saute until tender.

Add flour and blend well. Add tomatoes, bring to a boil and simmer gently for 20 minutes.

Add seafood and all seasonings except file; and simmer an additional 20 minutes.

Add file; and simmer an additional 3 minutes.

Sprinkle with green onions and serve with cooked rice.

Makes 1/2 gallon or 10-12 servings
Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services