“Ewww, OAK-KRE!”, I can still hear myself saying that as a kid whenever someone would hit me with the “Try it – it’s good for you!” Nothing or no one could convince me to try that slimy, green vegetable.
Yes, I’m a southern girl, but the only time I’ve ever eaten okra is when somebody snuck it into soup or stew. Well, that changed three days ago.
My husband is the only one that eats okra so, it’s not something I ever buy (He’s outnumbered 3 to 1 so, it’s off the menu, lol). My grandma decided to give me this gallon-sized Zip-loc bag full of okra.
Who would have the heart to turn down something from their grandma? Not me! Sooo, what was I going to do with all of this green, slimy stuff?
I hit the streets of Pinterest for answers. Surely, I could find some ideas on how to make this thing I hated at least edible. I came across a recipe for okra fries – yep okra fries.
I did some minor tweaking to the recipe and the results were so delicious! This recipe eliminated the sliminess that comes when you boil or heat them up in a pan. Before I get into the recipe, let me tell you why okra is such a big deal.
What’s The Big Deal About Okra?
Well, okra just so happens to be a SUPERFOOD! One cup of okra is only 33 calories, making it an excellent choice for weight loss!
The slimy stuff, called mucilage, helps to remove harmful toxins from the body. There have been studies that indicate that the lectin in okra may reduce the growth of cancer cells.
Okra is packed with enough nutrients and fiber to have a positive impact on bowel function, diabetes, cholesterol, osteoporosis and help prevent osteoporosis. The seeds have even been used to a make medicines and provide a source of oil and protein. I must say … that is pretty super!
My Super Crunchy Okra Recipe
If you’re like me and always refused to eat okra, don’t throw it in the garbage just yet. These okra are mildly sweet, crunchy and are great for dipping! Try this recipe and let me know what you think in the comments!
