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Picking okra should be done when the pods are 2 to 3 inches (5-8 cm.) long. If you leave them too long, the pods get hard and woody. Once you’re done picking okra, store them in plastic bags in your refrigerator where they will last about a week or freeze the pods if you have too much to use.
How big should okra be before you pick it?
Harvest the pods when they are 3 to 4 inches long. If the okra gets too large, it will be tough and stringy. Pick the okra every 1 to 2 days or yields will decrease (Fig. 3).
What color should okra be when picked?
Yet for okra you want small pods. The pods should be a very vibrant color, either green or purple depending on the variety you are growing. Pale pods, even if the right size, can be woody. Pods form quickly during the peak of summer and you should look to harvest every 2-3 days.
How do you pick okra?
Look for smooth, tender, blemish-free, bright green pods. Avoid pods with brown spots or dry end. If you’re cooking it quickly, like in a sauté, use okra that’s under 4 inches long. If you’re stewing it or using it in a gumbo, look for the tougher, larger pods.
How long does okra take to mature?
Okra reaches maturity in 50 to 65 days. The plants can produce for ten to 12 weeks. It grows and bears seed pods until frost, which quickly turns them black and kills them. Start harvesting a few days after the okra blooms fade.
What does an okra pod look like?
The pods are generally green but there are numerous red varieties as well. The colors of the flowers vary as well. Okra is related to hibiscus but produces large edible pods as well as flowers.
Why is my okra red?
It remains the most prevalent red variety. Their color comes from anthocyanins – a natural plant pigment. Red okra is sometimes called magenta or purple okra.
What do you do if okra is too big?
When you find pods that are just too old or too big to really be edible, leave them alone and let them dry out. The pods should be brown and starting to open; at that point, remove them from the plant, slice them open and remove the seeds.
Why is my okra flowering?
Okra flowers usually bloom for less than a day before dropping off the plant, leaving behind a small green nub that will form into the okra pod and be ready to harvest in just a few days. As long as the pods are developing, the flowers have been pollinated and all is as it should be.
Can you eat raw okra?
Okra requires a hot climate to grow. People can add it to salads, soups, and stews. They can eat it fresh or dried, pickled, fried, sautéed, roasted, or boiled.
How can you tell if okra is good?
Firm to Touch: To pick the best, you need to put in a little effort because nothing in life comes easy. Try to individually pick each okra. Press it gently with your fingers and they should be slightly firm but not hard. If they are hard, they are really old and don’t cook well.
What should Fresh okra look like?
Fresh okra should feel firm but not hard. Look for bright green pods with unblemished skin. A little browning on the stem shouldn’t be a concern, though the greener it is, the fresher the okra.
How do I prepare okra for gumbo?
Some cooks recommend first cooking or blanching the okra for 10 to 15 minutes in boiling water to remove the “slime,” and then adding the okra to the gumbo pot as required. Or, if you prefer a fresh, crunchy texture, you can add the gumbo with the shellfish, generally just 10 minutes before the end.
What can you not plant near okra?
This includes cucumbers, melons, eggplant, and sweet or hot peppers. Cucumbers love water and rich soil, as does okra, so these will do well side by side. Don’t plant them too close, as cucumbers vines spread and also need a large amount of sun to ripen.
What does okra do to a woman?
It’s rich in magnesium, folate, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C, K1, and A. Okra may benefit pregnant women, heart health, and blood sugar control. It may even have anticancer properties.
Why is my okra slimy?
Why is Okra Slimy? Okra pods are known as “mucilaginous,” which results in a slimy or gooey mouthfeel when cooked. This “mucilage” or slime contains soluble fiber that we can digest. In the traditional gumbo recipes, the pods are cooked for long amounts of time that will eventually breakdown the mucilaginous materials.
How long will okra keep after picking?
Okra will keep for only two or three days. When ridges and tips of pods turn dark, it needs to be used immediately. Once it starts to darken, it will quickly deteriorate. To prevent cross contamination, keep okra away from raw meat and meat juices.
How do I get more yield from okra?
Using organic fertilizer will help boost pod production. Adding compost around the base of the plant mid-season will give it a boost so it keeps producing. Especially mid-way through the season, when the okra plants are 18″ – 24″ tall, they will benefit from nitrogen-rich organic fertilizer.
How do you keep okra fresh after picking?
Store your dry, unwashed okra pods in your refrigerator. Loosely wrap them in perforated plastic bags and store them in your refrigerator’s vegetable crisper. Don’t wash them prior to storage, as moisture will promote mold growth and make them slimy. Store them for 2 to 3 days.
