Okra, or gumbo, needs at least four months of frost free growing to produce. The seed is sown into warm soil in the spring in rows 1000 mm apart and 300 mm between plants. The pods must be picked regularly to keep the plants from producing. The pods must not be allowed to mature. They are picked four to six days after the flowers open, when they are 75-100 mm long. The pods are used for thickening soups and stews and are at the centre of the southern US Creole cookery. The slimy nature of the pods' contents will put the squeamish off, but it is a gourmet's delight.
The pods can be used green, dried, frozen or pickled in brine. Clemson's Spineless is the usual variety grown in Australia.
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© Jonathan Sturm 2003 - 2011