What's so great about okra!
First it's from the north east of
Africa and fits in perfect with our hot humid southern summers, having
not problem producing it's green
lady finger pods right up to
the first heavy frost. The plant easily grows over your head no matter
if you are 5 foot or 7 foot! Once the green pods start to form they
literally grow over night! Optimum picking size would be that of your
little finger. When sliced a mucus like liquid is produced. This mucus
combined with the fiber of the pod make great digestives. Okra is also
high in folic acid, vitamins A and B with healthful minerals zinc, and
calcium.
Favorite preparations are to slice into coins or
spears for gumbo, soups, and fritters or leave whole for your best
pickle recipe. I like to cut up the pods, soak in sour milk, batter in
cornmeal/flour/salt/pepper and fry in oil. I can't eat this way all the
time, it's a real splurge! So while the okra's fresh we
indulge!
--Pat H
