i'm a southern girl, and i love okra. not only is it great to eat, but the blossoms are a gorgeous hibiscus-like shape. i know a lot of people are turned off of okra because of the slime factor. i agree that can be a bit hard to overcome, but there are 2 ways i love to eat it that have changed the minds of people who consider themselves non-okra eaters.
i am growing two different types of okra. a green one and a burgundy one. there isn't any difference in the flavor, i just love the way the two compliment each other visually.
pickled okra
this is a quick easy way to prepare okra. for about 3/4 lb of okra (i've found that fills a quart mason jar), mix together in a saucepan 1 cup water, 1 cup vinegar, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1 tablespoon salt, and then whatever spices you may have on hand. good ones to use are fennel seeds, cumin seeds, coriander seed, and peppercorns. i put in about a teaspoon of each. bring to a boil and cook the mixture for a couple minutes making sure the salt and sugar dissolve. then pour the mixture over the raw okra (i like to combine it all in a mason jar), along with a hot pepper that has been cut in half. if you have fresh dill, add a few sprigs as well. let cool and then store in the refrigerator. they will keep for a couple weeks. i like to just eat them straight out of the jar. they have a wonderful crunchy texture and vinegary flavor. 
roasted okra
this is such a simple way to prepare okra, but you have to endure having your oven on, which in the summer isn't the most comfortable thing to do.
heat oven to 400 degrees. toss okra (keep them whole!) with some olive oil, and salt. if you have fresh herbs like basil or mint, tear a handful over the okra as well. roast in a baking dish, or baking sheet for 15 to 20 minutes or until they have softened and are getting a little brown. stir them once half way through the cooking.
OK . So Being from the N.E. I did not grow up with okra but have become a huge fan. I would love to try growing next summer. it looks like you may have grown these in containers? I have limited space and sun is at a premium. Do you think a pot ( whiskey barrel) of okra could be successful?
ReplyDeleteI haven't tried growing them in a container, but if it were big enough it would probably work. As with all things grown in containers you'd have to water them frequently. I've tried growing other things in containers and they are never as prolific as plants grown in the ground. Okra like a lot of sun, so the more you can give them the better they will do. Last year my plants got to be over 6 feet tall. They didn't get as tall this year because I grew them in an area where the soil isn't as good. Good luck!
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