Southern Okra

by Christi on August 2, 2009

You know, you’ve got to watch okra. If it gets too big, it is too tough to eat. I had a couple of pods get away from me and they got a little too big.

IMG_5080

So, what to do with these over-sized pods? One thing to do, is to save them for seeds. All ready for next years crop! Another thing to do is make Christmas ornaments.

okrasanta

This picture is not of ornaments that I have actually made, but, are an inspiration of what I might do with some of the giant pods. I think they are an interesting way to use them. I’ve also seen them made into lizards. Anyway, it’s a thought.

While I was gathering the okra, I noticed that my morning glories were really blooming.

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Who doesn’t love to be greeted in the morning with this spectacular color of blue and the pretty yellow to white centers? Spectacular!

met mondaybluemonday

Wishing everyone a wonderful Monday and a fabulous week. Go check out Blue Monday at Smiling Sally’s and Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch for a great way to start your week!

Today’s Lagniappe (pronounced lan-yap – lagniappe=something extra): Fried Okra and Potatoes
A recipe for the ones that didn’t get away from me!
  • 1 lb young Okra pods
  • 2 large potatoes
  • 1 Onion
  • 1/2 cup cornmeal
  • 1 tbsp Salt.
  • 2 pints ice water
  • oil for frying
  • salt and pepper for seasoning, to taste
  • Tip and tail the Okra pods (cut off the ends)
    Cut the pods into approximately 1/4 inch rounds.
    Peel and dice the potatoes into 1/2 inch pieces
    Peel the onions and chop finely. Place the sliced Okra into a glass or stainless steel bowl and sprinkle the salt liberally over the pods.

    Cover the pods with the iced water, making sure that all the slices are under water.
    Place the bowl containing the Okra and water in a refrigerator and leave for 2 or more hours.

    Remove the bowl from the refrigerator and drain off the salt water.
    Place the Okra in a bowl and add the potatoes and chopped onion
    Season the cornmeal with the salt and pepper

    Place the sliced Okra potato and onion mixture together with the seasoned cornmeal in a large plastic bag and shake until the vegetables are well coated with the cornmeal.

    Heat some oil (1/2 inch deep) in a frying pan until it begins to shimmer. Place the vegetables in the pan and fry until the potatoes are done and the mixture has browned nicely.

    Remove the Okra and potato mixture from the oil, using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

    Serve hot as a side dish

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    { 14 comments… read them below or add one }

    Glenda August 4, 2009 at 2:43 pm

    I have had fried okra that I like and some that I did not like. Cute ornament idea.

    ellen b August 3, 2009 at 6:07 pm

    What a great harvest you’ve got there. You also have a great imagination on how to use that Okra! Love the Morning Glory! Have a great week!

    Lisa August 3, 2009 at 5:30 pm

    I really like the painted okra.

    Laura Ingalls Gunn August 3, 2009 at 5:12 pm

    Your okra metamorphasis looks great~ well done.

    Have a blessed day!

    bj August 3, 2009 at 4:46 pm

    O, I love fried okra and fried potatoes with onions sooooooo much..we have, however, just about quit frying anything. Sure sounds good, tho.

    Jane August 3, 2009 at 4:45 pm

    Oh, my gosh! Those Santa ornaments are too cute!

    Jane

    Brenda Kula August 3, 2009 at 2:48 pm

    I have no idea what happened to the morning glory seeds I planted. This got me to really wondering, as I just love their blooms! I like that idea about the okra too!
    Brenda

    cindy dodd August 3, 2009 at 2:07 pm

    Very pretty Morning Glories. What a neat idea for ornaments.
    Cindy

    Maggie Krafts August 3, 2009 at 1:47 pm

    How clever! I believe that is the first time I have seen an idea for ornaments made from okra. I think our readers would like to see a blog on veggie ornaments.

    Iris August 3, 2009 at 1:41 pm

    I love Morning Glories, and the blues are really pretty. I want to plant some in my yard.

    Iris

    angie August 3, 2009 at 10:41 am

    what a great and fun idea

    Ashley August 3, 2009 at 10:08 am

    Oh man do I love fried okra. It rocks my socks. I’ve got morning glory going crazy in my yard…I wish it would climb my fence instead of climbing my roses.

    Barb August 3, 2009 at 9:39 am

    Hi Christi, the okra painting is awesome. Wow.

    Come over and enter my anniversary giveaway…would love to have you!

    Happy Blue Monday.

    Barb

    Christi at A Southern Life August 3, 2009 at 8:21 am

    Had a major move for my blog yesterday. Just checking things out to see that everything works. Please let me know if you have any problems seeing anything.

    Christi

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