| Author | Content |
Ozark
Ozark, MO
(Zone 6a)
June 21, 2009
02:51 PM Post #6719502
| I'm real happy with the way my okra is doing this year. I'm trying Cajun Delight this time - the plants are supposed to be shorter and more productive than my usual Clemson Spineless.
I planted according to instructions on the seed pack, one seed every four inches so I only had 1/3 of a 25' row. Conditions must have been just right because every seed sprouted, so about a month ago I thinned them by transplanting - and now I have a whole 25' row.
Not a gardening question but - you Southerners and okra experts, please tell me how you bread and fry your okra. I grew up on fried okra but I'm not the cook, and my wife is a good cook who grew up in Brooklyn so she never learned about frying okra (though we both love the stuff).
My grandma made it best, and as I remember she washed the pods and cut them into 1/2" pieces and laid them on a towel on the counter. She'd put flour, salt, pepper, and maybe a little corn meal in a paper bag, shake it, then take the breaded okra out and fry it. The coating on the okra was real thin, it'd turn golden brown, and you got mostly the flavor of the okra and not the breading.
The problem we''ve had for years is that our okra pieces are slimy and they pick up too much breading - then a lot of it falls off during frying. The final result is that we get so much fried breading we can hardly taste the okra - and that ain't right.
Did grandma maybe let the okra sit out for a while and dry before breading? Did she pat it dry with a towel first?
Please forgive the non-gardening question, but I think I've got a bumper crop of okra coming this season and my wife and I would really like to know how to fix it better. Thanks.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)
June 21, 2009
04:22 PM Post #6719752
| Hey Ozark! Cut and paste your question on the recipes forum. You'll have 10 okra recipes in no time! How long did it take your okra 2 come up? I think I still have time to sow a few seeds. We've got about 60 more days of scorching heat ahead of us, so I'm remaining hopeful. I'm a container veggies grower. How deep do the okra roots Grow? I have 5-gallon eBuckets & growbags, & 24" planters. Which would be best? I only need enough okra 2 freeze for 2 people. Thanks! |
Farmerdill
Augusta, GA
(Zone 8a)
 June 21, 2009
04:27 PM Post #6719768
| Ozark, usually sliminess comes with bruising or let the pods sit around too long. Never had fresh okra get slimy. I like to dip in beaten egg, then dredge in corn meal and fry. Salt to taste of course. |
Ozark
Ozark, MO
(Zone 6a)
June 21, 2009
05:21 PM Post #6719950
| Gymgirl - You've still got time to plant okra. I think my seeds sprouted in only 4 or 5 days. It likes heat, so yours will grow faster now than mine did back in the spring.
I planted okra the first week of May, but it came up and just sat there 2" tall while we had several weeks of cool temps, clouds, and rain. Now we're getting 90 degree sunny days and it's really taking off. If you plant now, I bet it'll grow with no delays.
Thanks for the tip about keeping it fresh, Farmerdill. I checked with my wife, and she's usually been keeping okra in the 'fridge for a day or two before frying, so we'll change that. I'm also going to post the cooking question on the recipes forum, as Gymgirl suggested. |
crazyfish3
Pensacola, FL
June 21, 2009
06:37 PM Post #6720195
| OZARK, try some compleate pancake mix 2/3 to corn meal with salt and pepper. That gives a little fluff with the grit.Pan frying or deep frying be gental with them or you can beat the coating off. Tender loving care in the garden, same at the cook stove! Good luck. :) |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
June 21, 2009
10:06 PM Post #6721013
| Oh i m so jealous yours looks great
Mine are just sitting around. Been a bit cooler , but heat is on the way hopefully. They are only 3 " tall
can't recall the name of mine at present time ? duh
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MissJestr
Kingman, AZ
(Zone 7a)
June 23, 2009
04:05 PM Post #6728423
| so if I understand this, Okra grows in heat?/ I getting me some seeds as we are going into our hot season.. |
Ozark
Ozark, MO
(Zone 6a)
June 23, 2009
06:04 PM Post #6728795
| MissJestr - Believe me, okra will love Kingman in July and August if you keep it watered. I've read that okra is the only vegetable that originated in Africa - and it thrives in the heat. |
MissJestr
Kingman, AZ
(Zone 7a)
June 23, 2009
06:09 PM Post #6728824
| Great.. then I will try some... I only like it deep fried and got some good ideas here. |
lillypad044
Chandler, AZ
June 23, 2009
10:44 PM Post #6730075
| I have about 8 okra plants producing right now, giving us about 16 pods a week. We love it with fried potatoes. It is doing so well that when the onions didn't do well, I planted another row of okra in stead. It is now about 20 inches tall, and will also be producing soon. I am giving some to my co-workers, and they are loving it! This is my first garden in the valley. I was in Kingman before, so hi to my neighbor, MissJestr. It sure is a trip when it is a great success! |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
June 24, 2009
08:40 AM Post #6731262
| Ozark do you have little okras on yours yet ? cuz mine do and they are little bitty things ?
how is the heat going in your area
we are hitting the 90 today so they should be shooting up good ...I hope LOL
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Ozark
Ozark, MO
(Zone 6a)
June 24, 2009
10:29 AM Post #6731609
| "Ozark do you have little okras on yours yet ?"
---------------------------
Nope, I haven't even had a bloom yet - lots of little buds at the top of each plant, though.
I've always thought okra has the prettiest bloom, though the blooms only last for a day. Because of this question I posted I read up on okra and found it originated in Africa, actually around Somalia and Ethiopia - so no wonder it likes heat.
I also found that it's a type of hibiscus. Well, that explains why those pretty blooms look so familiar to me.
I'm going to be more diligent about picking it this year, every other day at least. In the past I've had a tendency to let it go, and then get some 8" woody pods that have to be thrown away. 2" to 3" pods are about right for picking, but it's amazing how fast they grow once they set on. |
MN_brown
Minneapolis, MN
(Zone 4a)
June 24, 2009
10:53 AM Post #6731710
| Ozark, Your hunch is correct. Drying okra before frying definitely reduces the slime. Many old-timers do that.
You can towel-dry washed okras, lay them flat to dry for a few minutes and then cut and cook.
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taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
June 24, 2009
11:58 AM Post #6732025
| hmmm maybe what i m looking at is the bud of the flowers ?
here is a pic
good to know on the heat with the plants. To bad i m not in AZ anymore LOL they would be enjoying the heat their 
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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Ozark
Ozark, MO
(Zone 6a)
June 24, 2009
12:08 PM Post #6732063
| MN_brown, thanks for the tip about drying. We'll do that.
taynors - No, those are okra pods. The big blooms just last for a short time, and those have already bloomed and set on. They'll keep blooming and setting on pods continuously. Be sure and pick the pods when they're no more than 4" long, it's amazing how fast they grow from the stage where you're at now.
Looks like you've got one of the burgundy varieties of okra. I've grown some of those, and they're good. |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
June 24, 2009
01:36 PM Post #6732505
| good to know Ozark
i will let them grow
yes it is a burgandy variety
I just can't recall the name ? sheesh can't find the seed package either :(
thanks for the tips |
quiltygirl
Wildomar, CA
(Zone 9a)
June 24, 2009
02:54 PM Post #6732877
| Maybe I will try a couple plants, we have heat through October typically, Although we just got off of 2-3 weeks of unusually cool (for us) low 70's. Have not liked okra when I have tried it in the past due to the slime thing. In our family of 3 I am pretty much the only one who enjoys veggies - home grown or store bought - even though I make DH & DD eat them. Growing all in containers this year as an anti gopher solution. Ozark and the rest, what size pots (diameter x depth) do you think I will need? |
Ozark
Ozark, MO
(Zone 6a)
June 24, 2009
04:22 PM Post #6733222
| guiltygirl - I've never grown okra in pots, but from pulling up the old plants in the fall I know it doesn't have a very big root system. I'd guess you could grow one plant in a one-gallon pot, maybe. In a bigger pot you could have two plants, as okra is spaced 10"-12" apart in the garden. |
quiltygirl
Wildomar, CA
(Zone 9a)
June 24, 2009
10:05 PM Post #6734709
| Thanks, now to remember to get seeds, while I'm at the store not in the middle of the night :} |
cando1
Ozone, AR
(Zone 6a)
June 25, 2009
12:27 AM Post #6735319
| Wanted to add that those old dried pods look good in Fall displays of leaves or fruit.
Okra has large root systems and would need to be in 5 gal pots.
Have fun! |
Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)
June 25, 2009
10:28 AM Post #6736527
| I sowed okra seeds Monday night in Bocabob's seed-starter tray, and I had 20 seedlings yesterday evening when I got home!
My question regards moving them to my eBuckets. I need to transplant them after the second set of leaves, still, right? I think I'm gonna set the tray outside in the shade to move them along a little faster (which would be lightening speed at the rate they're growing!)
This message was edited Jun 25, 2009 9:29 AM |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
June 25, 2009
03:00 PM Post #6737728
| wow Gym that is fast growing !
my kids use the seed pods like maraca's |
Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)
June 25, 2009
04:32 PM Post #6738112
| Tay,
Don't you teach your kids not to play with their food?  |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
June 25, 2009
05:18 PM Post #6738312
| LOL
No
its the only way i can get them to eat anything LOL |
Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)
June 25, 2009
05:21 PM Post #6738322
| I got it. When my niece was little, my mother used to make her some "special baby sweet potatoes". She liked them soooooooo much, she used to request the "special sweet potatoes".
Today she's all grown up, and recognizes them as candied baby carrots! |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
June 25, 2009
07:22 PM Post #6738784
| LOL that is great ! |
Ozark
Ozark, MO
(Zone 6a)
June 28, 2009
02:21 PM Post #6749801
| I've got the first blooms today on my okra, and lots and lots of buds. It won't be long now until I get to harvest some.
Different varieties of okra bloom in different colors, but I think they're all real pretty and very hibiscus-looking.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
|
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
June 28, 2009
02:25 PM Post #6749823
| wow t hem are nice looking blooms |
Ozark
Ozark, MO
(Zone 6a)
June 28, 2009
02:29 PM Post #6749838
| My 25' row of okra is really growing now in our hot weather. I had to remove the string between posts because the plants were growing into it.
I've never grown Cajun Delight okra before, but the reviews on it are good. It's supposed to be a shorter variety than most, and that'll be good. I usually have to provide some support for okra plants, and maybe I won't with this one.
Here it is as of today, between the cukes and the bush beans.
Click the image for an enlarged view.
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taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
June 28, 2009
06:55 PM Post #6750967
| that looks really good Ozark
we are getting some cooler weather in , :( so they may just sit in my garden and do nothing . |
quiltygirl
Wildomar, CA
(Zone 9a)
June 30, 2009
06:12 PM Post #6760357
| Ozark, is the okra the row in the middle? Do the leaves have natural holes or do you have a hungry critter? I wish more seed packets had pictures of the actual plant/leaves, so we can if the right thing is coming up and not some weed, or if we got our labels mixed up... |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
June 30, 2009
06:50 PM Post #6760476
| i got some flowers on mine today but we are having a cool spell :( |
Ozark
Ozark, MO
(Zone 6a)
June 30, 2009
11:26 PM Post #6761906
| "Ozark, is the okra the row in the middle? Do the leaves have natural holes or do you have a hungry critter?"
--------------------------------
Yes, okra is the row in the middle. The plants are about 2' tall now and bushy. I think I like that better than the Clemson Spineless okra I've usually grown in the past, because those would be 4' tall by now but don't have many leaves.
The holes aren't built in. I had an early bout with flea beetles when the plants were small and a few of the leaves got holes chewed in them before I nuked the beetles. They didn't have a chance to do any serious damage. |
Gymgirl
SE Houston (Hobby), TX
(Zone 9a)
July 01, 2009
01:23 PM Post #6763768
| Ozark,
What'd you use on the flea beetles? |
Ozark
Ozark, MO
(Zone 6a)
July 01, 2009
03:50 PM Post #6764389
| Ortho Spectracide concentrate, one tablespoon to a gallon of water.
I really like that one. The active ingredient is 3% pyrethrin, which is a natural insecticide refined from chrysanthemum roots.
The mixture is lethal to all insects that it touches while it's wet, and I wait until late afternoon to spray so I don't kill any honeybees. You've got to hit the bugs with it while it's wet, because it oxidizes and becomes harmless when it's dry. There's no lingering poison, and even same-day harvesting of vegetables is OK with pyrethrin - it's real good stuff. |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
July 01, 2009
04:04 PM Post #6764423
| i may have to try that
my potatos are getting hit bad
today is only 68 ! outside and no sun :(
my okra is not happy |
Jim41
Delhi, LA
July 02, 2009
06:08 PM Post #6769723
| Taynors, Are you close to Enon. I have a daughter there. Enon is close to Dayton and Beaver Creek. |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
July 02, 2009
08:35 PM Post #6770432
| Jim41 we are about 40 min from Dayton :) |
Jim41
Delhi, LA
July 02, 2009
11:22 PM Post #6771213
| My son-in-law is doing some raised bed gardening. Got two 4x8 beds. He is starting to get a little stuff now and is excited as a calf looking at a new rope. Think he is hooked. Never gardened before. We were there the last of May for our grandson's graduation, didn't realize how far behind your growing season is to ours. |
taynors
Urbana, OH
(Zone 5b)
July 03, 2009
09:06 AM Post #6772014
| Yes we get to plant out in late May and its done by Sept . |
MissJestr
Kingman, AZ
(Zone 7a)
July 03, 2009
12:34 PM Post #6772751
| I so miss my garden... found some more corn seeds that I am going to start when I get home, one last time. and picked up okra seeds ... SHame I have to go on vacation only to get the seeds I wanted |
