Okra: A Signature Southern Vegetable

When it comes to grocery shopping, have your produce choices become predictable? Well you might consider shaking things up this summer by adding some fresh okra to the mix. Okra is packed with nutrients that can help keep your nourished all year long.

Health Benefits

Okra contains a usable form of soluble fiber which slows down digestion and helps you feel fuller, longer. That’s why this vegetable is the perfect addition to your diet if you’re watching your waistline. Okra is also low in calories and chock full of vitamins A, K, and C, which are essential nutrients for healthy skin, cell growth and protection against immune system deficiencies.

Availability

You can find okra year-round, fresh, frozen or in cans, but this vegetable is at it’s best during the summer months. For maximum nutritional benefits remember fresh is always best. When buying fresh okra, make sure your selections are firm and dry. They should be medium to dark green in color and blemish-free. If you’re not going to enjoy okra right away, it should be stored paper bag in the warmest part of the refrigerator for just a few days.

Preparation

There are any number of ways to prepare this delicious vegetable. Okra can be: steamed, sautéed, oven-fried, pickled, or you could just eat it right out of the bag! If you like your veggies cooked, it doesn’t get much simpler than this recipe for roasted okra:

Ingredients
• 18 fresh okra pods, sliced 1/3 inch thick
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 2 teaspoons salt, or to taste
• 2 teaspoons black pepper, or to taste

Directions
• Preheat an oven to 425 degrees F
• Arrange the okra slices in one layer on a foil lined cookie sheet
• Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper
• Bake for 10 to 15 minutes

Don’t like Okra? Oh, No-kra!

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