I am celebrating okra today – just cuz its there. Fresh in season, piles and piles of it! 🙂

But if you need a better reason for celebrating okra, how about these:

• Okra is a great source of dietary fiber, Vitamin A, anti-oxidants, folate, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, iron, calcium, magnesium, and manganese.
• Okra is wonderful for expectant Moms, in part because of its folate content.
• For preventing diabetes, okra helps to normalize blood sugar.
• Studies show okra eating okra benefits the kidneys, colon, and skin.
• A boiled and mashed okra facial softens and rejuvenates the skin.
• Attention gluten and grain-free eaters: Okra acts as a thickener in soups and stews.
• The leaves can be cooked or thrown into salad.
• Okra is in the Marshmallow family of plants. Originally, marshmallow candy was made from the soft inner pulp of marshmallow roots.

To reduce okra “slime”, do not overcook it and/or add acid, such as lemon juice. Or you can treat okra with a 30 minute vinegar bath in advance. Rinse well and dry before preparing your dish.

Frying or roasting okra is a great way to introduce it to a diner who has never eaten it. You will end up with a dish that is full of delicious flavor and not much “mucilage”. Roasting okra, as shown here, eliminates need for flour. This is a good thing for anyone who avoids grains or gluten for any reason. Great for weight loss! Great for health! Scrumptious!

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Easy Roasted Okra

Purple and green okra. I love them both! But I do find purple to be less “slimy”.

Wash and thoroughly dry okra. Dry okra = beautiful roasted brown flavor.

Cut okra into about 1/3 inch pieces. Drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle on seasonings. Any you like. 🙂

Spread seasoned pieces over a parchment lined cookie sheet and bake until golden brown.

Serve immediately. YUM!!!!!

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Easy Roasted Okra

This is a super simple method, and a great way to introduce okra to those who fear slime.

Ingredients

• Okra, as much as you will eat
• olive oil, just a drizzle
• flavor to taste, garlic powder and onion powder
• season to taste, salt and pepper

Method 

Preheat oven to 400°

Wash and thoroughly dry okra. Slice okra into 1/3 inch thick pieces. Put okra into a bowl and drizzle just a bit of okra – if you have about 20 pods, use about 1 T olive oil. Sprinkle flavorings and seasoning to taste. Gently mix with a spoon for even coating.

Spread onto a parchment-lined cookie sheet. Bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until golden browned.

Serve immediately.

Note: More flavorings which pair very well with okra are cayenne, cilantro, coriander, cumin, Creole seasonings, curry powder, fennel seeds, ginger, mustard seeds, and parsley.

Enjoy!

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