What Is Okra?
In the vegetable world, okra is unique.
The edible seed pods are the fruit of a flowering plant that’s a member of the mallow family, which includes hibiscus but no other garden vegetables. The leaves of the plant are edible and can be prepared just like Swiss chard or beet greens.
What Does Okra Taste Like?
The flavor of okra is like a cross between green beans and eggplant.
Why Is Okra (Sometimes) Slimy?
The “slime” that some people find distasteful is actually like the gooey gel with healing properties of aloe vera. When pods are heated/cooked, the mucilaginous soluble fiber starts to gel into a viscous liquid that helps thicken stews and curries but can be off-putting to okra novices.
How Can I Keep Recipes from Getting Slimy?
While some okra aficionados love the pods’ gooeyness, if you prefer to keep it to a minimum. Here’s how.
Cook with Acid: Many okra recipes feature tomatoes for a reason— their natural acidity helps reduce the viscosity of okra’s soluble fiber. Vinegar or citrus-based recipes work just as well.
Freeze it: Freezing okra before cooking is another great way to cut down on slime. You can freeze whole pods either raw or blanched (for 3 minutes in boiling water).
What is the benefits of Okra?
Okra is a calcium-rich, plant-based superfood featured under "other vegetables" in the recommended Daily Dozen.
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