Okra

 Here is an easy plant to grow in the summer.  Okra.  They need barely any help in their growth.  I've saved a couple of okra pods each year.  Dried them out.  Then replanted the next year.  It's the crop that keeps on giving.  

They don't need any staking like you would do for tomato plants. Recently a tropical storm blew threw here and I came out the next morning to find them standing tall and proud.  

Once the okra plant has matured, it grows a beautiful yellow flower. Capture it's picture as fast as you see it, because tomorrow it won't be here.  It lasts for a day.  The okra grows right behind the flower.  You can eat the flowers in salads, or stuff and fry them like you would with zucchini flowers.  But if you leave them alone, a little okra will soon be on your dinner plate.  Even the leaves are edible. They are perfect to throw in soup or stew and will help to thicken up it up.

If you decide to let the okra grow instead of eating the flowers, cut them when they are small.  2-3 inches is the best size for eating since that is when they are so tender.  I like to snack on them raw when they are this size.  You can cut them up for soup or frying or even freeze them for later.  Or if you want to try something different, dry the sliced okra and save it for tea.  The seeds if dried by themselves can be pulverized in a coffee grinder and used to make a "coffee".  It's decaffeinated of course, but great for an evening drink.

Whatever you do with your okra, remember to save a couple of mature pods.  Dry them out and save them for next year's crop.

How do you eat okra?  I'd love to hear your recipe's.  Leave me a message below!!!