#CHINESE OKRA SKIN#

My grandma would take care of us during the weekdays, and our parents would be back in the city on the weekend. Our parents were teachers for a small tribe up in the mountain which was about 4-5 hours driving. I remembered as a kid and grew up with my grandma she used to make stir fried Chinese Okra with eggs for us. My last trip to the grocery store, I found that they had Chinese Okra. There's a small Asian grocery store not far from our place, and I can check the grocery store for fresh Asian vegetables and fruits. I feel so lucky since we've moved to the new apartment. Thai okra is a good source of vitamin C and fiber.I always try to balance my diet and put more greens in my meal plan. Thai okra is grown year-round in tropical and sub-tropical climates like Honduras and the Dominican Republic.

It can be peeled and sliced to fry, sauté, or steam. The fruit is also eaten immature and its versatility allows it to be used in a variety of dishes.

#CHINESE OKRA SKIN#

It has a leathery green skin with a spongy flesh. Thai okra is more like a Chinese okra in that it is more closely related to cucumbers and squashes. The fruit is native to India and is grown year-round in tropical climates like Florida, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic.Ĭhinese okra is an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of dietary fiber, calcium and vitamin A. In Asia it is added to curries, stews, and other vegetable dishes as its spongy flesh will easily soak up flavors. It can be peeled and sliced to eat raw, fry, sauté, or steam. As it matures it gets a little more fibrous and bitter and it can also be used to make sponges (or loofas).Ĭhinese okra is often prepared like you would a zucchini or other summer squash. Typically picked when its young, Chinese okra should be about 10 inches (no more than 18) in length and its skin is dark green with hard, narrow ridges. Also known as Angled Luffa, it’s a fruit that is closely related to a cucumber, squash, and melon and the flavor is very similar to a zucchini. Chinese OkraĬhinese okra is a little more unique than your traditional okra and the two are actually not even related. Crystal Valley sources its okra from a variety of countries throughout the year including Guatemala, Honduras, and the Dominican Republic. Okra is available year-round but peak growing season in the US is during the summer months. Okra is an excellent source of vitamin C, and a good source of folate, magnesium and fiber. It can also be fried, pickled, sautéed, stuffed, and eaten raw. When cooked, it secrets a gummy substance called mucilage, making it a great thickener for stews and gumbos. The flesh is spongy with small white seeds. This kind of okra originated in Africa (what is now known as Ethiopia) and is usually about 3-4 inches long and has a green, fuzzy, torpedo shape. It also goes by the name “ladies’ fingers” or “gumbo” and although it has traditionally been a favorite in the Southern United States, it is growing in popularity across the whole country.

This okra is the one you probably are most familiar with. Here are some of the differences, similarities, and benefits of all of our favorite “okras”. Okra, Luffa, Gumbo, they’re not all the same!ĭid you know that there are a few different odd-looking fruits out there with the name “okra” attached to them? Funny enough, they aren’t all technically related but named similarly because of their attributes.