| Pantry | Refrigerator | |
|---|---|---|
| Raw | – | 2-3 Days |
| Cooked | – | 3-5 Days |
| Frozen | – | – |
How do you know if okra has gone bad?
Tell if okra has gone bad by inspecting the firm green pods — if they’re soft, squishy, brown, throw them away. Be aware that depending on how it’s prepared, good okra may take on a slimy texture when cooked, but this doesn’t indicate spoilage.
How do you store cooked okra?
OKRA — FRESH, COOKED
- Refrigerate within two hours of cooking.
- Refrigerate in covered container or wrap tightly with heavy-duty aluminum foil or plastic wrap.
- Freeze in covered airtight containers or heavy-duty freezer bags.
Can you eat old okra?
Okra is considered suitable for eating when it is small and young, maybe two days old or so, with the pods less than 4 to 5 inches long. Age is a better indicator of edibility than length. If you leave the pods on the plant for too many days, they dry out and develop an okra woody texture.
Are black spots on okra OK?
Black discoloration: Okra is very susceptible to bruising and will turn black – keep handling to a minimum; do not drop shipping containers on the floor. Pitting; discoloration; water-soaked spots; decay: Indication of chill injury – do not store okra below 45 degrees F/7 degrees C.
What is the black stuff on my okra?
Temperature, moisture and improper handling can cause previously bright green okra pods to develop discolored dark or black spots. Starting with young, 3-inch pods and handling them correctly from purchase to preparation helps ensure they remain firm and flavorful with no blackening.
How do you keep okra fresh in the fridge?
Fresh okra is very perishable. Keep no more than two to three days in the refrigerator. Store in a paper bag or wrapped in a paper towel and placed inside a perforated plastic bag to keep pods very dry. Moisture causes pods to become slimy.
What is the best way to preserve okra?
- Wash and remove stems. Blanch small pods 3 minutes and large pods 4 minutes. Cool in ice water and drain.
- Slice crosswise and dredge with meal or flour. Spread in a single layer on shallow trays.
- Place in freezer just long enough to freeze firm. Package quickly, leaving ½-inch headspace. Seal and freeze.
Can you freeze okra without cooking it?
Can you freeze okra without cooking it? The short answer is yes, but I would advise against it. The process of baking (or blanching if you want to go that route) helps break down enzymes in the okra. Breaking these down helps preserve the flavor and texture of the okra itself.
Can you freeze cooked okra?
Freeze slices on a parchment-lined tray before placing into freezer bags. Frozen blanched okra works well in gumbo, boiled, stewed, smothered, or fried. It’s usually simplest and easiest to freeze whole pods, and it’s a cinch to prepare them later.
Why is my okra slimy?
Why is Okra Slimy? Okra pods are known as “mucilaginous,” which results in a slimy or gooey mouthfeel when cooked. This “mucilage” or slime contains soluble fiber that we can digest. … Keeping the pods intact and briefly cooking (think stir fry) can help to minimize the sliminess of the pod.
What does moldy okra look like?
When okra is bad, depending on if it’s fresh or in storage, there are some signs to look for. For fresh okra that hasn’t been harvest yet, okra that is bad will turn brown and hard. At this stage, the vegetable is ripe and is no longer good to eat.
Are okra seeds OK if Brown?
Okra, when well prepared, can cast off its label as slimy. … Larger okra pods may be overmature and tough with brown seeds inside. A fresh okra pod will have white seeds hidden within it. Avoid buying okra that looks brown, shriveled, dry or decayed.
How do you treat okra?
Spray or dust with a fixed copper- or sulfur-based fungicide every 7 to 10 days. Plants stunted, leaves yellow, roots decayed. Fusarium root or stem rot is a fungal disease that favors warm soil. Remove infected plants and plant debris that harbor fungus.
Is eating okra good for you?
Okra is a nutritious food with many health benefits. It’s rich in magnesium, folate, fiber, antioxidants, and vitamin C, K1, and A. Okra may benefit pregnant women, heart health, and blood sugar control. It may even have anticancer properties.
Do you wash okra before frying?
Dip okra pieces in egg wash and then your desired coating. Fry, in batches, 3 to 4 minutes or until tender. Remove the okra from the oil with a slotted spoon. Drain on paper towels.