You don’t have to be southern to like okra

Not until I moved away from the South did I realize okra was not a separate but equal vegetable. It’s rarely eaten in the rest of the United States. If you think you’re too Yankee for okra because you didn’t grow up with the KKK in your backyard, try this recipe (revised from one of my favorite cookbooks). It will forever change your opinion of the slimy, green vegetable. 

 

What you’ll need:

1 lb fresh, whole okra (chop off the ends and julienne length ways – like french fries)

oil (i prefer grape or corn but any will do) 

1 medium tomato (diced)

1 small red onion (1/2 diced) 

1/4 cup fresh cilantro (chopped)

garam masala spice (Indian spice…Whole Foods carries it) 

lemon 

salt 

 

What to do:

Preheat the oil (a few inches) to 350F to fry the okra. Once the okra is crispy (turns a little brown) drain it by placing on paper towels. Mix the cilantro, tomato, and red onion in a bowl and add the fried okra sticks. Squeeze fresh lemon as desired and add about a tsp of garam masala. Finally add a sprinkle of salt.