Okra has a repute for its sludge , and it is n’t exactly undeserved . Okra fuel pod do hold a slimy liquid . That liquidness helps gumbo keep moisture inthe quick climates where it grows well . It also serves as a thickener in gumbo . you’re able to reduce the amount of slime okra plant release , but washing it with water only makes the slime unsound .
First, You Need to Harvest Some Okra
The first Abelmoschus esculentus pods will appear five to six days after your gumbo peak , and they will maturate to 2 to 3 inches long and beready to harvestwithin two to three day . Because the pods develop so speedily , they can mature and become too tough to eat in just a few days , so you need to watch your okra plants for pods to reap at least every two Day .
Harvesting Okra
Whenever yousearch your okra for pods to harvest , you should endure boxing glove and a long - sleeved top because the backbone can irritate your skin . Use pruning shears or a tongue and cut the stem just above the crown at the top of the pod .
If the stem has become unmanageable to slue , the pod will have become woody and too difficult to eat . off the fuel pod anyway , because leave matured pods will cause the okra plant to begin focusing on modernize matured seeds rather than on producing pods . broadly , though , any seedcase under 5 or 6 inches should still be crank enough to eat , although the shorter pods are more tender .
When you are harvest your okra , you may let the seedpod low on the plant settle to the terra firma . Okra bruises easily , though , so stress to catch the pod that are growing higher on the plant , and put them in a hoop .
What’s Next?
What you do next depends on whether you desire to put in the okra you glean or whether you harvested it to use right away .
Storing Okra
you’re able to salt away okra for a few day , less than a workweek , in your icebox . The humidity should be between 90 and 95 pct , and the temperature should stay between 45 ° F and 50 ° F ( 7 ° C-10 ° coulomb ) .
For long term storage , you’re able to put your okra into moldable bags and freeze it whole , blanch it and freeze out it whole or in slices , or can or pickle it .
Preparing Fresh Okra for Cooking
To prepare fresh okra for preparation :
As already mention , the liquidness inside of okra pods thickens gumbo , and it can do the same for casserole , lather , and other dishes . To use it as a thickening , blanch the whole lady’s-finger and then wait to slit the okra so that you’re able to add it just when your dish aerial has 10 arcminute left to fudge .
There are several ways to reduce the amount of fluent gumbo release when you are n’t using it as a thickening . you could leave the okra plant whole ; block it whole and slice up it while it ’s still frozen ; soak the okra for a half time of day , using 1/2 cup of vinegar for every 1 pound of okra , and then permit it dry out before cooking it ; or blanch , roast , sauté , or grill the okra before adding it to your saucer .
