The native African okra pod, also called gumbo, can be cooked as a vegetable or added to soups and stews as a thickener. It's a central ingredient in a dish that also goes by the name gumbo, a one-pot meal containing meat, tomatoes and other vegetables, thickened with sliced okra pods. Once it's harvested, okra only lasts a few days, but it freezes well. Pan fry frozen okra, purchased or from your garden, right out of the freezer for a tasty Southern side dish. Here's how:
Place the frozen okra in a bowl. Let it sit for a few minutes, so the ice crystals start to melt.
Combine one part cornmeal and one part flour, enough to coat the okra. Add the mixture to the okra and toss to coat, adding salt and pepper to taste.
Heat about 1/4 cup of vegetable oil in the bottom of a cast iron skillet or a frying pan over medium heat. When a drop of the flour paste sizzles when added to the pan, add the coated okra.
Fry the okra on one side for about five minutes, shaking the pan occasionally. Turn the okra with a wooden spoon or spatula and continue cooking until the okra is golden brown on all sides. The okra will both defrost and cook during this time.
Remove the okra from the pan and place it on a paper towel-lined plate. When the excess oil has drained off, it's ready to serve.
Tip
You can add other spices, such as garlic powder, chili powder or cayenne to the flour, if you like.
Warning
Watch out for oil spatter when you added the frozen okra to the oil.
References
Writer Bio
Delaware-based Daisy Cuinn has been writing professionally since 1997, when she became the features editor for her local biweekly music newspaper. She has been a staff writer and contributor to online and offline magazines, including "What It Is!," Celebrations.com and Slashfood. Cuinn holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Temple University.