A requested (by @artemislives) "Foodie" post centering around Okra

It is valued for its edible green seed pods. The plant is cultivated in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate regions around the world.
First used around 1670, the name okra is from a West African language, possibly [Igbo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igbo_language) ọ́kụ̀rụ̀.

Gombo (from American-French) has its origin around 1805, becoming the name gumbo used in parts of the Southeastern United States and the English-speaking Caribbean (via Portuguese and Spanish quingombo).

In India, it is known by the names vendakkai (alternatively bendakkai) or bhindi.

'Abelmoschus' is New Latin from Arabic أَبُو المِسْك‎ (ʾabū l-misk, “father of musk”).

(All of the above[except the photo, that is mine 😜] is from [Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Okra), and is properly linked out, shared for informational purposes)

Some time back I made a #Foodies post in which I used Okra fairly extensively. @artemislives said I should make a post showing it, and what it can be used for. So that Okra in my hand, I harvested last Spring 2019 at my friend Ms Esther's backyard garden

Today's Meal Usage of Okra

You saw me holding some of these pods above.

If the pods are small and relatively young/undeveloped, you Can safely use them whole; I say "safely" because the larger, Older the pods are, the more "Stringy" and fibrous they Are, so larger pods must be cut up into pieces. Done this Way, they can be breaded and fried (one of my favorites) and We ain't talking about those BATTERED things you get in Eateries that look like chunks of something.

(Sorry, I digress)

I am an unashamed and unrepentant carnivore, (though I HAVE cut down on meat in general) so what you See there, is bacon fat, rendered from frying bacon. I use that for many soups and things, I love the flavor it Brings to the dish. (the black stuff is black pepper, I used to buy that type of bacon)

The Okra was frozen, but I still would have done this step ^{**If I'd had any onion, it would be in there now as well**}

Some freshly harvested [Basil](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil) (also from Ms Esther's Garden) which was immediately frozen will be added

After a couple of months, I will be able to harvest and Use fresh as I need it. I love the smell of Fresh Basil

I had some sausage, which I broiled

And because I was just too blasted lazy to cook rice to go with the Tomatoes and Okra, I tossed in a small amount of Barley

And that will be:

"Tonight's Meal" ^{_**Mostly already consumed**_ by} _Jerry E Smith_ ©04/01/2020

All images are original, taken with my cell phone Google Pixel 3A XL or my NIKON D5600

BTW... Okra can be Stewed, which is really good taste wise, but it becomes Sort of "Slimy" to the touch and mouth, so many people don't like it stewed.

I can remember once when I was very small, my Grandmother had come To live with us for a while.

She was a VERY "Staid"; almost "Stoic"person She sat down at our table where among other things, we had "Stewed Okra" She ate a bite or two, then said (real story, I remember it well) "Hmmm, I best cross my legs lest this slide right on through me" My daddy (who LOVED a good joke) like to fell over laughing, because she never said ANYTHING like this.

![Grandma Greene at Aunt Lucille's_enhanced.jpg]() ↑↑My Grandma Greene↑↑ ^{_**These .gifs were created for me by @coquiunlimited; many thanks**_} ![]()