So your okra plant life is flourishingand has started to bloom . Congrats ! But when are the plants quick to glean and how do you do it ?
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We ’re here to help ! We ’ll walk you through the process and give you all of our tips and tricks , and then end up with some preparation and recipe recommendations .
Cornmeal-battered fried okra? Yes, please!
What You’ll Learn
Pod Formation
Whenyour chosen varietiesapproach maturity , pods begin to form . And they often grow quickly , within a few days after flowering .
break on them daily , and when they reach about three column inch in length , they should be at the eyeshade of flavor and heart , quick to glean . Some larger sort may be able to hang around on the plant a little longer before they get hard .
Harvesting
Wear boxing glove and handle the pod as little as potential , to prevent softening before usage and cutis innervation . Even so - called “ spineless ” varieties may have some setulose growth , so do n’t be surprised if you encounter these fine protrusions on pods , stems , and leaf .
If you find that they ’re already woody when you pick at three inches , toss this harvest into a dish that ’s go to be ready low and irksome , which may help to soften them a piece . Keep this knowledge in mind for your chosen variety ( observe itin your horticulture journal ! ) and cull the rest when they ’re 2 to 2 1/2 inches long instead .
Each time you pick , you encourage more growth , so glean regularly .
Cornmeal-battered fried okra? Yes, please!
Because okra beginning have a frail clutch on the earth , it ’s best to cut back rather than snap the fore cleanly above each fuel pod , leaving a routine to grasp .
It may be influence to result fruit on the plant to see how declamatory they ’ll get , but do n’t – unless you plan touse them in a floral arranging , or dry out them for seeds .
The longer they grow , the tougher they are . The pods become woody , the spines firmer , and the staunch harder to cut .
Seed Saving and Propagation
If you leave a generous length of stem , you may bunch your stems , wrap them with string , and set aside them upside down to dry out in a nerveless , dry emplacement for economic consumption in everlasting floral arrangements .
This is also agood way to spare seedsfrom open - pollinated variety that will produce replicas of parent plant when sown next rise time of year .
If you ’re grow in a warm climate , you may cut plant to the ground mid - time of year to permit them rise up again for a crepuscule crop .
Tasty Recommendations
People seem to love or hate Hibiscus esculentus , with no middle dry land . Slimy , ejaculate - meet pod just are n’t for everyone . However , with a few cooking trick , you’re able to make them not only toothsome , but delicious .
To reduce the mucilaginous quality of okra ’s slimy gum , try soak it in vinegar or lemon juice for about 30 minutes , or parboil it . lightly rinse and pat dry before use in recipes .
Do n’t be surprised if your red types turn light-green , or at least a paler spook of red , during cooking .
Many multitude , especially in the American South , ready the veg by frying it in a dredge of Indian meal . Some folks expend an egg batter before dredging , and others use milk or buttermilk . If you ’re not a sports fan of a heavy cornmeal coating , feel free to substitute half of it with flour .
You may also cook soak or freshly pick gumbo by baking , roasting , or grill it for a curt texture , to be eaten that way or added to slow - wangle soup and stews . Just remember to bestow another thickening to your gumbo soil if you ’ve prepped your crop with another cookery method acting first , to reduce its gooeyness .
If you’re able to stand the slime component ( or if you bang it ! ) this is really enhanced by striking with water in those classical brood lulu . But ready cooking will preserve more of its goodly nutritionary benefit .
The Crispy Crunchy Okra at Trader Joe ’s has become a popular bite among veggie lover and the healthy snacking crowd . We ’re not positive , but these crispy , whole pod seems to be freeze out - dried . If you like , you might trydehydrating your ownat home the low and dull way , in a food for thought dehydrator .
Prior to dehydration , bring a motley of seasonings and sea saltiness if you wish and eat them as a crispy snack . Or you could bequeath them unseasoned to use them in stews , where they ’ll restructure and work as a thickening federal agent .
Our sister site , Foodal , has articles to consult for information onpickling and canning vegetablesthat you may well apply when you ’ve commence a bumper crop on your manpower . Pickled okra constitute a tasty addition to a charcuterie plate !
As for those well past their prime , the ejaculate inside may still be tender enough to manipulate and savour , and happen to make a nutritious fill-in for coffee when roasted and brew .
The tender youthful leave are also comestible , for a fresh addition to salads , or as a cooked side cup of tea . And you’re able to eat the pods raw as well , if you like .
For formula that call for Hibiscus esculentus , inspect our sis site Foodal , where you ’ll find : “ Cooking Southern Style with Healthy Variations , ” and “ Big Mama ’s New Orleans Style Cosmopolitan Seafood Gumbo . ”
© Ask the Experts , LLC . ALL right RESERVED.See our TOSfor more details . in the first place published April 11th , 2019 . Last update May 19th , 2023 . Uncredited pic via Shutterstock . With extra composition and editing by Mike Quinn and Allison Sidhu .
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Nan Schiller
