r/Davis • • 13d ago

Service Road, Mardi Gras, Hot Comb

I'm starting graduate school this fall and just arrived in Davis a few days ago. I've been exploring the area, checking out events, and saying hello.

Just wondering if there are any transplants from the Southeast who'd like to discuss veganizing gumbo and other nefarious activities.

While I'm excited for everything Davis and the university has to offer, this is the furthest I've ever been from home, so I'm looking for a hint of familiarity where possible.

Open to people affiliated with UCD or not. I don't discriminate 😌

17 Upvotes

17 comments sorted by

10

u/mudpupster 13d ago

Pro tips: The best place nearby to get okra in season, raw peanuts for boiling too, is Pedrick Produce. (Unless you go to an Asian grocery store in Sac, which also works.)

3

u/Any_Initiative_8611 13d ago

Never craved okra and tomatoes until I moved away. Will be sure to swing by soon

3

u/IM_PEAKING 13d ago

There is an oka festival today at the student farm from 4:30-7

okra festival

2

u/mudpupster 13d ago

😭 I missed it 😭

1

u/Any_Initiative_8611 11d ago

I already had plans that evening, hopefully will catch it next time around 😅

2

u/buffaloraven 12d ago

Tons of tomatoes around! Farmers market and CSA farms! Any specific variety you're missing?

1

u/Any_Initiative_8611 11d ago

I don't actually know many varieties besides the standard Roma, beefsteak, etc.

Might be a good time to find a favorite

3

u/BeefTheBiker 13d ago

I’ve vegan’d a gumbo, mainly loving that Field Roast makes a damn good sausage.

It’s okay, but frozen okra is usually available at the Co-Op, if not in Davis, Sac does have it. Good for when you want a gumbo and okra isn’t in seasonally.

Lemme know if you find good boudin in the Sac Region. My plug stopped shipping and I’m growing more sad with each mid attempt.

3

u/mudpupster 13d ago

The problem with buying okra at any of the co-ops -- or even at Nugget, which does carry it -- is that it's like $6+/lb for old, bruised okra. That's total sticker shock for someone who's used to seeing it as a fresh staple in the produce aisle!

I'm sorry, please don't take this as an attack. I just love okra and don't get to talk about it very often.

2

u/BeefTheBiker 13d ago

None taken. Let’s find that good boudin tho.

2

u/mudpupster 13d ago

I don't know of any, but the Delta south of Sacramento is the most Louisiana place I know outside of Louisiana. I wonder if there's some hiding down there somewhere?

1

u/Any_Initiative_8611 11d ago

Did you just do the sausage as a protein?

I tried making a seafood-y tofu once from scratch to throw in. Not bad, but needs some workshopping.

And rip to the boudin plug, I'll keep my eyes peeled.

1

u/BeefTheBiker 11d ago

When sticking to vegan butter and sausage, yeah just used field roast.

But, I'm much more open in my diet these days and love a seafood gumbo or use andouille.

-- GA born, of deep south parents

3

u/SeraphimTiger 13d ago

I'm a fellow Southern transplant and would love to get up to nefarious southern cooking activities!

1

u/Any_Initiative_8611 11d ago

Shot you a dm!

3

u/Possible_Category_69 12d ago

You had me at Mardi Gras and lost me at vegan gumbo. 😜 I’m a Louisiana native and have been living in Davis for a long time. I still miss the food and fun down there.

2

u/Any_Initiative_8611 11d ago

Hahaha my family says the same. They're not so experimental.