Flour is often used for thickening gravies, gumbos, and stews. Okra is more often used as a thickener in seafood gumbos than those with meat. Its specialties include Duck dishes, gumbos, fried catfish and seasonal dishes. Sausage or ham is often added to gumbos of either variety. But of course, in Louisiana, a variety of different gumbos is eaten year long. Gumbos tend to be thickened with okra, or the leaves of the sassafrass tree.