11 Best Easy Okra Recipes

For those who’ve by no means eaten okra—a nutritious and versatile meals with a contemporary, vegetal taste and a few superb culinary attributes—you are in for a deal with. And in the event you have had it and do not suppose you prefer it, maybe you’ve got by no means had it fairly like this.

What Is Okra?

Just like peppers, okra is an edible seed pod. The surface of the pod has an nearly furry, tough really feel, versus the sleek, shiny pores and skin on a pepper. Although it grows profusely within the Southern U.S. and is a giant a part of Southern cuisine, okra is definitely part of many cuisines internationally, particularly African and South Asian cuisines. As a meals, okra got here to the U.S. from West Africa through the slave commerce period. It was launched into Southern delicacies by African cooks.

What Does Okra Style Like?

Many individuals love okra for the physique that it provides to soups and stews: When boiled, okra turns into mucilaginous (or “slimy”) and is an integral a part of dishes reminiscent of gumbo. (Each gumbo and okra are derived from African phrases.) Okra additionally occurs to be superb for you. With loads of fiber and an honest quantity of potassium and vitamin C, it is an ideal side dish or ingredient in the event you’re seeking to eat a little bit more healthy.

When shopping for okra, search for smaller, extra tender pods, at most 3-4 inches lengthy or shorter, that also really feel agency when uncooked.