“Shipping is a terrible thing to do to vegetables. They probably get jet-lagged, just like people.” ~Elizabeth Berry~
This beautiful vegetable Okra also known as ladies finger is not much loved by most people because of its slimy texture. Either you love it or hate it. But wait! Okra has a lot more than its unappealing texture. This low calorie vegetable helps control the cholesterol and can be beneficial in weight reduction. They are rich in fiber, antioxidants and vitamins such as A, B and K. Ever wondered what causes this vegetable to be so slimy? Well, the mucilage which is the exact same thing you’ll find in aloe Vera plants is present in okra pods. The stickiness increases when the heat is applied. The texture can be altered by various cooking techniques.
Growing up, I loved okra and I always thought that it is only green in color. There are actually 50 species of okra around the world. I was so fascinated with the purple wine color of okra at the farmers market that I couldn’t resist myself from buying it. And personally I felt that this variety is less slimy than the green.
Okra is great in gumbo as it thickens the dish. My favorite way to cook okra is to stir fry in hot oil and season with salt and pepper.
So here are few tips to reduce the slime from the okra:
- Never store okra after washing and dry it thoroughly.
- Add lemon juice while cooking.
- Soak the pods in vinegar prior to cooking.
- Fry in hot oil.
- Avoid cutting it too much.
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