A Favorite Memory from My Childhood

Fried Okra

In the name of truth, I must confess, this is not homemade okra. This is frozen okra that I bought in the grocery store because garden fresh okra is out of season. However, I had a craving and as I was making it, I was reminded of my childhood. I have placed the recipe below that I use when okra is in season. Enjoy!

One of the pleasures from my childhood was my granny's fried okra. I would go out to the garden with my Papa and pick okra. He did most of the picking actually. I kind of just tagged along. Okra is kind of itchy because of the skin, so I deferred to the expert. The one thing I know for sure is there is nothing better than fresh okra from a summer garden. Besides frying okra, my granny would cut up okra and put it in her homemade black-eyed peas. Don't mind me if I start to drool a little.

Fried Okra Recipe

Ingredients:

Okra

Cornmeal

Flour (optional)

A fresh garden tomato if they are in season

Vegetable oil

Salt and pepper

Preparation:

Heat oil in a skillet. Slice ends off of okra and discard. Slice remaining okra horizontally. Place the cornmeal or cornmeal flour mix in a bowl. Place okra in bowl and coat. Carefully drop okra into hot grease. Watch out for splatters! Cook until lightly browned. If you have a fresh tomato, quarter it and add it in the last few minutes of cooking. It is delicious mixed in with the okra. Salt and pepper to taste.