Okra – All You Need to Know | Instacart’s Guide to Groceries

What is okra?

Okra is the immature seed pods of the Abelmoschus esculentus or okra plant. They are often referred to as ladyfingers because of their long and tubelike shape.

Okra contains mucilage, a naturally occurring substance that helps to thicken gumbo and stews. There are many other ways to prepare okra, such as roasting, frying okra, or making okra pickles.

Where did okra originate from?

Okra originated along the Nile in Ethiopia around the 12th century. Historians believe that the plant traveled to Egypt and North Africa before making its way to the Mediterranean.

Africa introduced okra to parts of North America in the early 18^th century. By 1748, it was being harvested as far north as Philadelphia.

What types of okra are there?

Okra comes in two varieties, green and red. Green is the more well-known variety. Red okra carries the same flavor, and its pods turn green when they are cooked. These are a few specific kinds of okra:

• Red okra: includes okra in shades ranging from crimson to maroon. Buy red okra.
• Louisiana Short: features tender and plump six-inch pods.
• Little Lucy: is dwarf-sized red okra with burgundy pods ideal for planting in containers.

What are the health benefits of okra?

Okra is low in calories, fat-free, and a good source of dietary fiber. It’s also rich in the following nutrients:

• Vitamin A, C, & K
• Vitamin B6
• Folate
• Magnesium

How is okra grown?

Okra needs lots of garden space to grow since it can expand up to six feet tall. The okra plant needs warm weather and sunlight to thrive, so the seeds are generally planted in late spring. The okra plants are placed several feet apart, allowing each one plenty of room to grow.

Depending on how hot and dry the climate determines how often the plant is watered. After the first harvest, the lower leaves are removed to help future harvests. It grows to around three to four inches when mature, though some varieties can grow as long as nine inches.

Typically, one bushel of okra yields around 16 quarts, approximately one and a half pounds per quart.

Gardeners often plant spineless varieties, such as the Louisiana Green Velvet, which grows to around six feet tall. Another popular hybrid is Annie Oakley, which takes 52 days to harvest and is an extra tender type of okra.

When is okra in season?

Okra is a seasonal item, available primarily in the summer at fresh markets.  While you may find okra year-round, you’ll pay more for imported okra than just purchasing it fresh in the warmer months.

What should I look for when buying okra?

Look for bright, green pods with unblemished plump skin and less than four inches long. If you’re sautéing the okra, use okra that’s less than four inches long. However, opt for larger and harder pods if you’re using the okra in a heartier dish like gumbo or stew.

Okra is not a very popular vegetable, and not all markets stock it fresh except during the summer. Many grocery stores sell it pre-cut and frozen. Buy frozen okra.

How to store okra

Okra pods are delicate, so you need to store them carefully. If you are not planning to prepare the okra within a few days, you can freeze it or can it to preserve its freshness. However, only keep enough okra that you will consume within a year.

How to refrigerate okra

1. Store fresh okra in paper bags in the vegetable drawer. You can also wrap it in plastic.
2. Keep it separate from the meat in your fridge.
3. Bring it to room temperature before using it.
4. Okra will stay fresh in the refrigerator for three to four days.

How to freeze okra

1. Wash the okra and cut the stems.
2. Blanch it in boiling water for a few minutes, then dunk the okra in an ice water bath.
3. Chop it, and flash freeze the vegetables on a parchment-lined tray.
4. Transfer them into freezer bags. If possible, vacuum seal the freezer bags but don’t remove all the air, or you may crush the okra. Alternatively, fry the okra before freezing it.

How to can okra

1. Choose young and tender okra pods.
2. Wash the pods thoroughly and trim the ends.
3. Cut the okra into one-inch pieces and place them in a covered saucepan to boil for two minutes.
4. Drain and assemble hot okra in hot canning jars.
5. Add salt and fill the jars almost to the top with boiling water.
6. Remove air bubbles and let the okra process, generally around 30 to 40 minutes.
7. Leave the jars undisturbed for 24 hours and then label them.

How to tell if okra is bad

Check to make sure the okra has firm green pods. The okra has spoiled if they’ve become soft, mushy, or brown. If it’s spoiled, they lose its vibrant color and crunch. They may also have more slime by the bud. If the okra is rotten,  it may develop mold as well.

What can I substitute for okra?

It depends on if you’re using okra as a vegetable or a thickener, what you’ll need as a replacement. Here are several fresh vegetables and baking ingredients you can use:

• Asparagus: If you want to fry vegetables and realize you’re out okra, try asparagus. It fries similarly to okra, though the taste is slightly different.
• Zucchini: For a vegetable side dish with a similar texture, use zucchini.
• Gumbo file: If you’re making gumbo, use this thickening agent made of North American sassafras leaves.
• Cornstarch: Cornstarch is a staple in most homes. It thickens without adding flavor, and it’s gluten-free.

Get okra delivered to your doorstep

You can’t go wrong with adding okra as part of your meal. From serving okra pickles to adding it to gumbo to frying okra, okra is a versatile vegetable.

Shop for okra today at your local market or place your order online via Instacart and select to have it delivered. You’ll have your groceries on your doorstep within hours.

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