Gigantic Stringy Okra Suggestions

[jordydog1]

Yesterday I went out to my garden and I was surprised to see that my okra plants had dozens of huge tough okra pods that should have been harvested several days earlier. Does anyone have any suggestions for what to do with okra that is long past its prime but still green and beautiful?

[hrnsly]

My suggestion would be to peel the okra and remove and cook the beans. Okra is a member of the Hibiscus family, of which several varieties are cultivated for the beans within the pods. I bet you could create something really yummy!

[MakingSense]

Dry it and use it as a decoration. It's pretty in Fall arrangements if you wire it and stick it in among leaves and flowers. Spray paint it gold at Christmas.

Once it gets woody, it's past saving. Yuck!
Watch it more carefully now to avoid okra abuse.

[alkapal]

that's right. the pods do make great decorative accents.
also, with all your spare time, make this okra lizard: http://www.craftbits.com/viewProject.do?projectID=322

jordydog1, is your okra this big? http://lcreekmo.typepad.com/fixin_sup...

[TNExplorer]

You might try slicing it to 1/2 inch length, toss with some olive oil, and oven roast at 400 for 15 minutes, stir, and then back in the oven for 15 or until tender (if it will get tender.) Younger okra done this way is quite good. But usually I throw away pods over 3-4 inches long.

[alkapal]

i'd slice it really thin, then make a light cornmeal batter, with a shot of hot sauce. http://www.seasonalchef.com/recipe0905f.htm#Southern%20Fried%20Okra
deep fry.

or slice it very thin, and make this indian dish with okra, tomato, onions: http://www.sailusfood.com/2007/08/23/bhindi-do-pyaaza-okra-onion-stir-fry/

http://www.seasonalchef.com/recipe0905f.htm#Indian-Style%20Okra%20and%20Tomatoes

http://recipe.kaiser-permanente.org/kp/maring/2004/07/indianstyle_okra_with_tomatoes_1.php

http://www.indiasnacks.com/recipe/388...

[Tee]

unless i am mistaken, it is inedible at that stage.
many years ago my wife made succotash containing oner ripe okra that looked and smelled perfect, yet the okra was so stringy we chewed, and chewed and chewed...
we still get a laugh from the memory.

[alkapal]

tee may be right, sadly. maybe......you could slice it lengthwise, stitch together, and sell to vegans as a leather substitute. ;-D