• Okra can be stored in the refrigerator for up to a week, loosely wrapped in perforated plastic bag.
  • To freeze okra, blanch small pods for 3 minutes and large pods for 4 minutes. Once cooled, it can be frozen whole or cut.
  • To pickle okra, wash and trim stem ends to 1/4 inch. Okra can be pickled in a boiling water bath. Head space and boil times vary by recipe.
  • Okra can be eaten raw if one can handle a gel texture. If not, they can be fried or boiled.

RECIPES

Okra Fritters

  • Adapted from the Stacy Little recipe
  • Combine in a medium bowl:
  • 2 cups okra, caps removed, coarsely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
  • 1/2 cup onion, minced
  • 1/2 cup white or yellow cornmeal, not coarse (or all purpose flour)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced (optional)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk (or water)
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper (or to taste)
  • Toss until okra and onions are coated with dry ingredients.
  • Combine in a small bowl:
  • 1/4 cup buttermilk (or water)
  • 1 egg

Add to okra mix and stir in. Heat in a large, nonstick skillet over medium to medium-high heat until hot.

  • 3 tablespoons oil

Scoop 1/4 cup portions of the fritter mixture into the skillet and flatten. Fry until golden brown for about 4 minutes, then flip and fry for 4 more minutes, until both sides are brown and crisp. Drain on paper towels and serve warm. Serve with the dipping sauce of your choice.

  • To prevent okra from getting slimy:
  • Freeze it before cutting.
  • Soak the okra in 1 quart of water and 1 cup of cider vinegar for an hour before cooking, then rinse and pat dry.
  • Sauté, roast, or blanch the okra before adding it to the dish.

References

Bauer, E. 2018. Pickled Okra. Accessed 9 Sept 2018. https://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/pickled_okra/

HGTV. 2018. How to Freeze Okra. https://www.hgtv.com/outdoors/gardens/garden-to-table/how-to-freeze-okra (accessed 15 June 2018).

Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky. ID-128. University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service

Hughes, Z. How to Deslime Okra. Leaf.tv. Accessed 12 May 2020. https://www.leaf.tv/articles/how-to-deslime-okra/

Little, S. 2011. Okra Fritters. Southern Bite. Accessed 16 April, 2020. https://southernbite.com/okra-fritters/

McGarry, J. 2015. Michigan Fresh: Using, Storing, and Preserving Okra. Michigan State University Extension Bulletin E3196.

Okra, or "Gumbo," from Africa. Aggie Horticulture®. Texas A&M Agrilife Extension. https://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/vegetabletravelers/okra.html (Accessed 15 May 2020).

Onegreenplanet.org. 2018. How to Cook Okra so It's Not Slimy and All Flavor. http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/how-to-cook-okra-so-its-not-slimy-and-all-flavor/ (accessed 15 June 2018)

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