ideas on ways to use overgrown okra

annbeck62

I just got back from traveling and this morning I harvested some okra that has gotten very fibrous. I'm looking for suggestion on ways to cook it so it tenderizes and becomes chewable.

shllnzl

Here are a few ideas:

https://www.thespruceeats.com/foot-long-okra-2216752

https://www.cheftalk.com/threads/oversized-okra-pods-what-to-do.48079/

annbeck62

@shllnzl thank you

kbmbillups1

The best thing I've found is to make fried okra with the fibrous ones. They're always tender when we eat them.

JennyT Upstate South Carolina

I've also seen the large fibrous ones dried and a tea made from them. I don't know how it would taste since I personally don't enjoy okra. But it is another way to use it.

annbeck62

@kbmbillups1 thanks for the tip. I have an air fryer and will experiment with a few of them.

@JennyT Upstate South Carolina I never heard of okra tea before and did some digging. It has so many health benefits I will try it.

I also came across okra water. You can drink it or use as a thickener for soups, sauces and beverages. It is simple to make. Slice the okra in half and soak in water 8 - 24 hours then strain.

thelinda

1. Pressure cook
2. grate it then add to soups

water2world

@annbeck62 No help from me for making it less fibrous, but save a few, let them dry, then Paint them as Santa Claus for ornaments. The top is his hat, then beard, and the rest red. I have some I have used year after year! ( Just need red and white paint.)

kbmbillups1

@annbeck62 I've never heard of okra water. Tell us how it is if you try it. Okra is slimy -even the seeds I bought that have less slime - I can't imagine drinking okra water.

@water2world That's a cute idea. I'm going to have to remember that idea!

annbeck62

@water2world I'd love to see a picture if you store them somewhere easily accessible :)

@kbmbillups1 I've never heard of it either. It seems like it's a thing to drink it for the health benefits so maybe it's not that slimy. I'll find out.

judsoncarroll4

Oh, I just saw this - long simmered gumbo

water2world

@annbeck62 I'll look for a picture tomorrow. It's an EZ thing to do and always a conversation piece! lol

JennyT Upstate South Carolina

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/915105#Comment_915105

That's good to know that it has such great health benefits. I may have to find out if I can find some overgrown okra and make some tea from it. 😊

annbeck62

@kbmbillups1 I drank the okra water this morning. I did not notice any "slime factor" but this may be different with okra that's not so fiberous . To me it was surprisingly refreshing with only the slightest hint of okra flavor. Very similar to how cucumber water has the slightest hint of cucumber flavor.

kbmbillups1

@annbeck62 Interesting! Did you just soak the cut up okra in room temperature water or did you heat it?

annbeck62

@kbmbillups1 I sliced it in half the long way and soaked in room temperature water overnight.

JennyT Upstate South Carolina

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/915206#Comment_915206

https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/comment/915202#Comment_915202

@annbeck62 @kbmbillups1 The way I saw the tea made was to take the overgrown fibrous okra and slice it. Lay it out to dry completely and then seal it in a clean glass container. Take a few slices out and place them in a pot/cup of hot water to steep for a few minutes and then enjoy.

Owl

Since my dad and I were just discussing the terrible ways my grandmother tortured okra before she ate it, I thought to post his recipe for anyone who hates okra because of the slimy-ness. Add a splash of an acid, vinegar or lemon juice to your water and bring to a boil. Throw in your okra and stay right there because as soon as you can stick a fork in it and it slides back off, it’s done. We all grew up with both grandmothers loving their okra cooked to a gelatinous mass and fell in love with okra cooked this way. I like the little baby ones raw but I can restrain myself for these. Don’t forget to save lots of seeds for next year.

Monek Marie

Okra powder?

if you have a lot later in the year dry them for crafts. Thats my favorite way to use them