What Is the Best Way to Freeze Okra
What Is The Best Way To Freeze Okra?
Place whole pods into airtight freezer bags or containers. Or cut pods crosswise prior to freezing. For either method, you can also individually quick freeze pods or pieces by placing them on a parchment-lined tray and slipping it into the freezer for a few hours. Once they’re frozen, place them into freezer bags.
Can you freeze fresh okra without blanching?
Okra freezes extremely well but to add to that good news is even better news: It requires no special prep to freeze – no blanching required!
Is it better to freeze okra whole or sliced?
You may also decide to NOT chop and leave the pods whole. This is also another great option for freezing. Freeze the okra by placing it on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. To keep the okra from freezing in a giant blob, place okra in a single layer.
How do you blanch okra to freeze it?
Blanch the okra by submerging it in boiling water for up to four minutes. Then immediately stop the cooking process by draining the okra and then submerging it in an ice bath — a large bowl of ice and water. Let the pods cool for a few minutes and then drain again.
How long do you blanch okra to freeze?
Water blanch small pods 3 minutes and large pods 4 minutes. Cool promptly and drain. Leave whole or slice crosswise.
Can you freeze uncooked okra?
It’s usually simplest and easiest to freeze whole pods, and it’s a cinch to prepare them later. To slice frozen whole okra, allow pods to thaw slightly before cutting crosswise. Many Southern cooks like to slice, bread and bake or fry okra prior to freezing.
Can okra be frozen without cooking?
While you can freeze okra, or any vegetable, without blanching, you should anticipate losing some of the okra’s taste, texture and color. To keep the best quality of okra possible while frozen, make sure you use a freezer container that is easy to seal and will keep moisture, especially vapor, …
What can I do with too much okra?
Grab some okra and roast it, pickle it, stew it, or even bake it into cookies with one of these recipes. Stewed Okra and Tomatoes – Fresh picked okra is cooked with canned tomatoes — although you could certainly use fresh tomatoes — plus a few other veggies and bacon. It’s a side dish that goes with almost any meal.
Why is my okra slimy after blanching?
The so-called slime is something called mucilage, which comes from sugar residue and is great for, say, thickening gumbo, but not great when you’re biting into a piece of sautéed okra and averse to that viscous texture.
Can I fry frozen okra?
I much prefer this made with fresh okra, but in all honesty, frozen cut okra works really well. And a lot of the work is already done for you being that it’s been washed, trimmed, and cut into bite size pieces. You’ll just need to thaw it completely first.
How do you preserve okra?
- Wash and remove stems. Blanch small pods 3 minutes and large pods 4 minutes. Cool in ice water and drain.
- Slice crosswise and dredge with meal or flour. Spread in a single layer on shallow trays.
- Place in freezer just long enough to freeze firm. Package quickly, leaving ½-inch headspace. Seal and freeze.
Should okra plants be pruned?
A: You sure can! As our common okra varieties grow in summer, the top of the plant becomes too tall to reach and doesn’t produce as many pods. When they are too tall to harvest, cut your plants down to a height between 12 and 24 inches.
Do I cut okra before blanching?
After washing, remove stems by cutting them off, but slice carefully because you don’t want to cut into the seed cell. To blanch okra, add pods to boiling water. Steam small pods 3 minutes; large ones 4 minutes.
Why is okra good for you?
Okra is rich in vitamins A and C, as well as antioxidants that help reduce the risk of serious health conditions like cancer, diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Okra is also a good source of: Magnesium. Folate.
How do you cook frozen okra so it is not slimy?
A second trick for reducing sliminess is to soak the okra in vinegar for half an hour before cooking it. Rinse it and pat dry before cooking. Finally, you can pre-cook okra at very high heat by sautéing, roasting, blanching, or grilling. Then add cooked okra to your recipe, and there will be hardly any slime at all.
How do you get slime out of frozen okra?
Soaking Okra Fill a large bowl with 1 quart of water and 1 cup cider vinegar. Place the okra in the vinegar and water mix and let them soak for one hour. The vinegar reduces the slime content in the okra.
How do you store okra long term?
Submerge sterile, airtight, sealed jars of okra and water in a large pot of boiling hot water for about fifteen minutes. Let them slowly cool and then store them in the cupboard or refrigerator. Properly canned okra will last for up to one year.
What is the best fertilizer for okra?
Okra should be mowed or pruned to 6 to 12 inches above the soil line. Once the plants are cut, gardeners will want to fertilize with a fertilizer that has a 1:2 ratio of nitrogen to potassium, which will encourage new growth and stimulate flower production.
How do you make okra produce more?
3 Ways to Make Your Okra Produce More (Tips)
- Ensure Optimal Okra Growing Conditions (Sun, Space, Soil, and Water) Sun. Space. Soil. Water.
- Give Your Okra Plants Enough Nutrients.
- Plant High Yielding Okra Varieties.
Can I freeze okra raw?
It’s usually simplest and easiest to freeze whole pods, and it’s a cinch to prepare them later. To slice frozen whole okra, allow pods to thaw slightly before cutting crosswise. Many Southern cooks like to slice, bread and bake or fry okra prior to freezing.
Who should not eat okra?
That said, okra may interfere with metformin, a common diabetes medication. Therefore, eating okra is not recommended for those taking this drug ( 15 ).
