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[Bentley]

So, I was given an Okra pod by a neighbor.  Never imagined the seeds would be viable, or grow, but they have.  Having never grown nor bought Okra in the store even, I had no idea at what stage they should be harvested.  So I go to youtube and most say to harvest at what looks about 5 inches.  So I go out to the garden and I find some that size, some smaller and some larger.  I take a couple of each.  Below are pictures of the process.

There is no rhyme or reason for tenderness of the vegetable (?).  Some of the little ones were very hard to slice, where as some of the larger the knife just went through so easy and vice versa.  All I know is eating a couple of them, well, if you had taken a bite of a #2 pencil and giving it about 3 chews, what would have been in your mouth is what a couple of these felt like!  My wet n dry needs work.  Pretty sure these thing are only good for Gumbo (and it won't be Gumbo season for 4 months)...I cant imagine they freeze well, but that will be next experiment.

[Bentley]

If anyone can shed any light on harvesting criteria, it would be most appreciative!

[Free Mr. Tony]

I don't have much experience with okra at all.  I've had it two ways. Gumbo and dried. Costco had bags of dried vegetables that were amazing. They were unavailable quicky, but the okra was my favorite thing in the bag. It was the whole thing dried, and they were very tasty. 

[1MoreFord]

One of my favorite summer veggies.  Especially fried similar to what you have done.  Cut it up like you did, season it, and coat in flour and corn meal.  The slime will do a decent job of holding it on.  Martha White cornmeal/cornbread mix or similar works well.  Cook til somewhat crisp.

Harvesting.  As long as it's growing well with enough moisture you can let it get pretty big like 5-6-7" long.  As long as your thumb nail will dig into the stalk end it will fry.  Otherwise reserve for stewing or gumbo.  Best harvested with a sharp knife or shears.

BTW, who in the world thinks there is a gumbo "season"? 

IIRC you need to blanch it to freeze it.

[Bentley]

Gumbo is not a hot season dish for me, and the funny thing about these, no matter what the size is no slime at all.  I think there is a misconception about most fruits and vegetables, that all you have to do is plant a seed from last years crop and all is well.  I think seeds are grown specifically for new season growth, and I think that may be the issue here.  You just cant take a pod from last years harvest and expect it to be a viable plant with good fruit!

[02ebz06]

I think the only time I've ever have Okra would have been in Campbell's Chicken Gumbo soup years ago.
Was in Nawlin's a few times, but never had Gumbo. Always went for Jambalaya or other Cajun foods.
I guess I should give it a try.
I do have a couple good songs about Gumbo though.
Jimmie Buffett - I Will Play for Gumbo
Little Feat - Rad Gumbo

[pmillen]

As an aside, I was camped in the AZ desert (closest town was Tucson) and we ate that cactus that jumps at you when you step on its roots.  It tasted like okra.

[BigDave83]

I think there is a misconception about most fruits and vegetables, that all you have to do is plant a seed from last years crop and all is well.  I think seeds are grown specifically for new season growth, and I think that may be the issue here.  You just cant take a pod from last years harvest and expect it to be a viable plant with good fruit!

I remember that is pretty much what Woman did. She would plant tomato and green pepper seed from last years plants. Usually got them started in March or April, she would save the little yogurt cups and use them to plant in. We did it with potatoes also, but usually didn't have enough so would order from Henry Fields. I never remember seeing Okra growing up.