Okra is an edible green seed pod that’s typically used in Cajun and Creole cuisine.
Okra grows almost anywhere that corn will, but it particularly thrives in warm climates.
Preparation
Sliced okra can become gooey when cooked. If you’re making gumbo or a stew, this may be desirable. But if you want to keep the texture crunchy and crisp, you’ll want to grill, fry or stir fry your okra pods fully intact.
You can also ward off the gooiness by adding a few drops of acidic lemon juice, tomato juice or vinegar as they cook.
Storage Tips
Fresh okra should be used quickly and stored in a plastic produce bag in the fridge for no more than a week.
Long Term Storage Tips
Whole okra pods can be frozen for several months as long as they are blanched and dried before being placed in a sealed freezer bag.
Nutrition
Okra is a great source of dietary fiber and vitamin C. It also contains a notable amount of calcium and potassium.
Seasonality
Summer
Recipes
Chicken-and-Okra Gumbo
Fried Pecan Okra
Grilled Okra and Tomato Skewers
Small-Batch Refrigerator Pickles