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The first harvest will be ready about 2 months after planting. Harvest the okra when it’s about 2 to 3 inches long. Harvest it every other day. Cut the stem just above the cap with a knife; if the stem is too hard to cut, the pod is probably too old and should be tossed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can you eat okra raw?
Okra pods can even be eaten raw. The less cooked okra is, the better it is for you. It’s high in fiber, folate, antioxidants, and vitamins A and C. Slice off the stem, cut the pods into 1-inch pieces and give them a quick saute to reduce the green taste.
What does it mean when okra is purple?
He checked a book by Harold McGee and learned that the red and purple colors of most flowers and vegetables are due to a group of about 300 related chemicals known as anthocyanins.
Is red okra better than green?
There are also other red varieties of okra that include ‘Red Velvet’ and the dwarf red okra “Little Lucy.” So back to the question “is red okra edible?” Yes. In fact, there really isn’t much difference between red okra and green okra other than the color.
Is purple okra edible?
The common green-podded okra varieties are the usual grown in summer gardens, but varieties with red pods are those that can deliver a dual role of an edible and an ornamental crop. Red, sometimes called magenta or purple okra, makes an unusual and fun addition to an ornamental garden. Okra is a healthy food.
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 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.
Can you eat okra when it’s big?
Slowly cook your overlarge okra into a gumbo or stew to soften their pod structure. You can eat it raw or cooked, stewed, grilled, pickled, or fried. Put it in soups and stews, or season it and make a snack of it.
Can you freeze sliced okra?
Once they’re frozen, place them into freezer bags. If you plan to fry okra later, after blanching, slice pods crosswise and dredge with cornmeal or flour. Freeze slices on a parchment-lined tray before placing into freezer bags. To slice frozen whole okra, allow pods to thaw slightly before cutting crosswise.
Can you eat okra seeds?
If you dig “nose-to-tail” veggie eating, this vegetable is for you: the leaves, flowers and seeds are also edible. Young okra greens can be cooked like spinach or beet greens (or eaten raw) and the seeds can even be ground and used as a coffee substitute.
What does okra do to a man?
“Gossypol inhibits sperm production and motility by blocking several enzymes that are highly important in energy metabolism in sperm and sperm producing cells. “Okra seeds are very rich in toxic pigment called Gossypol which promote infertility in men by arresting sperm production (spermatogenesis) even at lower dose.
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.
