Okra anyone?

[Paddy]

A few years back we had a neighbor offer us a bowl of fresh picked okra. Here in Indiana, we know okra as the fried version and so-so at best. he said just cut them up sizzle it up in a pan. It was ok but a bit slimy. next batch we left them whole tossed in some olive oil salt and pepper. then cooked on the grill for just a few mins. They were great.

Now we plant a 10 ft row each year. They are now 7 ft tall and we pick a bowl full every other day. I highly recommend growing some, easy to plant and grow

 

[ponytug]

I agree. Grilled, baked, lightly fried, or in soups, yum!

Like eggplant, it is one of those crops for us that veers from enough to OMG levels. (Slice, blanch, freeze, and start cooking while frozen...)

All the best,

Peter

 

[Paddy]

Ponytug,

we found out they are true to seed. When you miss the big ones the pods can be dried out.

 

[newbury]

So does cooking them on the grill get rid of the slime? Or is it the salt?

 

[workinonit]

Never eaten grilled okra. My wife likes it lightly breaded and fried. No slime at all that way. I grew up eating it chopped and fried in a black iron pot on med low heat until it has browned and all the slime is gone. I freeze 5 or so bushels every year. Just as good as the day it was picked. It's probably my favorite veg.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Planted it for the first time this year. Our 3 plants are doing OK, but not great. If you don't pick it they get huge and woody.

My son who HATES most veggies likes okra. So I will probably plant more next year.

Ponytug,

we found out they are true to seed. When you miss the big ones the pods can be dried out.

Does this mean that we can keep the ones that get too big to eat and use them to replant next year?

 

[1 Old Man]

Okra gumbo is hard to beat. We've been grilling it for the last year or so and has
become our favorite way to eat it. Grill it, eat the whole thing.

 

[ponytug]

So does cooking them on the grill get rid of the slime? Or is it the salt?

It is any form of high heat to sear them and dry them out. If you make them whole, the slime is less of an issue. Grill, fry, bake it all works. Or a few in a soup or gumbo.

Just don't slice them into pieces and add water unless you enjoy slime...

All the best,

Peter

 

[Paddy]

To prevent slime, grill hot for a very short time. But sliced and cooked a long time would likely dry it out. We prefer barely cooked

 

[garry1p]

If you boil okra add a tea spoon of vinegar, no slime.