Cooking Giant Okra Or, slit the pods down the side and stuff them with a bit of cheese or spicy meat mixture (an Indian mixture like kheema would be delicious) and bake at 350 F to 375 F, covered, until everything is wonderfully tender. Continue cooking uncovered until your stuffed okra and add-ons are nicely brown.
What can you do with old okra?
What i do is boil over sized okra pods (cut open) in a stock pot until the water cooks down and thickens, then strain the water off, then use the water to season any vegetable or meat dish. It makes an awsum seasoning for just about everything. Another way is to just put them whole in the freezer.
What happens when okra gets 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.
Is okra still good if it turns brown?
At first, the okra will be bright green, like grass, but as it ages or spoils it will get darker green or brown in colour, or have a motley colour. Dark green or discoloured okra should not be bought or eaten, as it has already spoiled and may cause stomach illnesses.
Can you eat oversized okra?
oversize okra pods are edible.
Why does okra get tough?
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. Just remember that harvesting okra needs to be done often.
Can I freeze fresh okra?
It’s usually simplest and easiest to freeze whole pods, and it’s a cinch to prepare them later. To slice frozen whole okra, allow pods to thaw slightly before cutting crosswise. Many Southern cooks like to slice, bread and bake or fry okra prior to freezing.
How long should okra be before you pick it?
2 to 4 inches long
Harvest the okra when seed pods are 1 to 2 days old and 2 to 4 inches long; these appear about 2 months after planting. This is when okra is at its softest and most digestible. 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.
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.
Can dogs eat okra?
Yes! Okra is safe for dogs and contains vitamin C, B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and folic acid. These vitamins and minerals support the health of your dog’s immune system, metabolism, nerves, muscles, bones, and more.
Why does okra turn black when cooked?
Okra reacts with the iron and will turn black. Otherwise, it’s fine and fit to eat.
Is it OK to eat slimy okra?
This “mucilage” or slime contains soluble fiber that we can digest. Some folks enjoy this texture, while others try to mask the slippery nature of the pods. Keeping the pods intact and briefly cooking (think stir fry) can help to minimize the sliminess of the pod.
How long will fresh okra last in the refrigerator?
three days
Storage and food safety
Refrigerate unwashed, dry okra pods in the vegetable crisper, loosely wrapped in perforated plastic bags. Wet pods will quickly mold and become slimy. Okra will keep for only two or three days.
What does ripe okra look like?
Ripe okra is about 2 to 3 inches long with a vibrant color, advises the University of Illinois Extension. Okra pods are either green or purple depending on the variety. Okra is ripe and ready for harvesting approximately five days after the plant flowers, advises Michigan State University Extension.
How do you make okra tender?
Place okra in a saucepan; add enough water to cover the okra and salt to taste; bring the water to boil. Cover the pan and cook eight to 10 minutes or until the okra is tender. Drain well and, if desired, toss with a little butter. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
How big can okra get?
three to six feet tall
Okra can grow from three to six feet tall. Choose a garden spot where its shade will not harm other sun loving plants. Sow the seeds one inch deep in rows that are three feet apart.
Should you wash okra before cooking?
Wash and Dry
It’s important to wash Okra, irrespective of what anyone says to you to get rid of any dirt or chemicals still stuck to the skin. But what’s more important is to dry it well before cooking. Wash uncut Okra under running water, and then pat it dry with a cloth towel before cutting.
What happens when you overcook okra?
If overcooked, okra can become slimy and unappetizing. To prevent this from happening, a quick, oil-free saute is a delicious way to cook okra. With fresh tomatoes and herbs, this makes a lovely summer side dish.
How do you cook okra without it being slimy?
One popular way to reduce okra’s sliminess is to “soak it in vinegar for 30 minutes [before cooking with it], which helps to break up and dissolve the slime,” says food scientist, food industry consultant, and author Bryan Le.
Can fresh okra be frozen without blanching?
Okra freezes extremely well but to add to that good news is even better news: It requires no special prep to freeze – no blanching required!
Do you wash fresh okra before freezing?
Wash the fresh okra and pat it dry to remove any excess moisture. Take a small knife and slice the okra into ½ inch rounds (Garcia suggests keeping a paper towel handy to keep your knife blade clean and dry as you go along). Spread the okra onto baking pans until you have enough to fill a large freezer bag.