Nutrition:
Okra is a very nutritious and healthy vegetable. It is also known as “lady’s finger”, and one of the popular nutritious vegetables Eastern Countries. This vegetable is usually eaten while they are green, tender, and at immature stage. The plant is cultivated throughout the tropical and warm temperate regions around the world for their fibrous nature.
Botanically, okra is a perennial flowering plant belongs to the Malvaceae (mallows) family, and named scientifically as Abelmoschus esculentus.
Size,Plantation & Storage:
The okra plant bears numerous dark green colored fruit measuring about 5-15 cm in length. It takes about 45-60 days to get ready-to-harvest fruits. When matured the fruit is dried naturally and the black small seeds inside the Okra is taken and preserved carefully for sowing. Usually, the ground is to be kept dry and not under water for growing well. In wet or watered land this plant does not grow even destroyed.
Fresh, immature okra pods can be readily available in the stores all around the year. The pods feature attractively rich green-color and have neutral flavor. In the store, look for crispy, immature pods and avoid those with over-ripen, sunken appearance, discolored spots, cuts and mushy.
Once at home, eat them while they are fresh to obtain full benefits of vitamins and anti-oxidants. They may also stay well for 1-2 days when placed inside the refrigerator.
Health benefits:
- Okra is among the very low calorie vegetables. They provide just 30 calories per 100 g besides containing no saturated fats or cholesterol. Nonetheless, they are rich sources ofdietary fiber, minerals, and vitamins; often recommended by nutritionists in cholesterol controlling and weight reduction programs.
- These are one of the rich sources of mucilage substance that help in smooth peristalsis of digested food through the gut and ease constipation This vegetable is advised by doctors who have constipation problem.
- Okra composes healthy amounts ofvitamin A, and flavonoid anti-oxidants such asbeta-carotene, xanthin and lutein. It is one of the vegetables with highest levels of these anti-oxidants. These compounds are known to have antioxidant properties and are essential for vision. Vitamin A is also required for maintaining healthy mucus membranes and skin. Consumption of natural vegetables and fruits rich in flavonoids helps to protect from lung and oral cavity cancers.
- Fresh Okra are the good source offolates; provide about 22% of RDA per 100 g. Consumption of foods rich in folates, especially during the pre-conception period helps decrease the incidence of neural tube defects in the offspring.
- These are also an excellent source of anti-oxidant vitamin,vitamin-C, providing about 36% of daily-recommended levels. Research suggests that consumption of foods rich in vitamin-C helps human body develop immunity against infectious agents, reduce episodes of cold and cough and protect it from harmful free radicals.
- They are rich in B-complex group of vitamins like niacin, vitamin B-6 (pyridoxine), thiamin and pantothenic acid. The pods also contain good amounts ofvitamin K. Vitamin K is a co-factor for blood clotting enzymes and is required for strengthening of bones.
- These are also good source of many important minerals such as iron, calcium, manganese and magnesium.
Preparation and serving methods
Some hybrid varieties of okra may have subjected to insecticide/pesticide sprays. Therefore, wash the pods thoroughly in the cold water in order to remove dirt, soil and any residual insecticides.
Trim the top stem end using a paring knife. Some prefer trimming tip ends as well. Then, cut/slice the pod as desired.
Here are some serving tips:
- Okra pods are one of the widely used vegetables in tropical countries. Chopped, or sliced, they can be stewed or fried (fritters) under low heat oil in order to soften their mucilaginous texture. They then, can be mixed with other vegetables, rice, or meat.
- In the Caribbean islands, okra is cooked and enjoyed in soup, often with fish.
- The pods can be pickled and preserved like in other vegetables.
- Tender okra leaves may be cooked in a similar manner as the greens ofbeets The leaves are also be eaten raw in salads.
- Thick stew of lamb or beef and okra is a popular dish in Egypt and other middle eastern regions.