Season: July to September

Description: Okra’s flavor is sweet and, some have said, similar to eggplant. Okra is a member of the mallow family and is related to the hibiscus. An okra pod can be as small as 3 inches or as long as 10. It is believed that African slaves brought okra to the Caribbean and the United States’ South, where it remains a very popular ingredient in Southern style cooking, including as the key ingredient in gumbo.

Okra is quite popular throughout the world. In North India and Pakistan, it is known as ‘bhindi’ and is used in stir fries; okra appears as the ‘signature’ ingredient in many region’s popular dishes, including in Brazil and Vietnam.

Did you know? When cooked, okra’s seeds generate thick juice, making it perfect for thickening soups.