Knowledge from Olle Garden Bed: Can You Eat Okra Leaves

Many northerners may not have tried it, but okra is a typical southern style, related to the local cuisine. Although many southerners usually only use okra pods in their dishes, what is it about eating okra leaves? Can I eat the leaves of okra? The following content also has some reference value for raised garden beds.

Can I eat the leaves of okra?

Okra is believed to have originated in Africa and spread to the Middle East, India and southern North America, probably brought by the French through West Africa. Since then, it has become a popular food in the southern United States.

Although it is the most popular bean pod, okra leaves can also be eaten. Not only leaves, but also beautiful flowers.

Eating okra leaf okra is a hibiscus plant, used for ornamental purposes and as a food crop. The leaves are heart-shaped, serrated, medium size, bright green, covered with small bristles. Leaves grow alternately, with five to seven lobes per stem.

Okra pods are the traditional ingredients of okra, which are particularly prominent in other southern dishes. Some people don't like them because pods are slimy and long. Use pods frequently, such as chewing gum, to thicken soups or stews.

It turns out that edible okra leaves also have this thickening side. The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked like spinach. Adding a beautiful chiffon cake (sliced into thin strips) to the stew or soup will thicken it like batter or cornstarch.

As mentioned earlier, flowers are edible and also seeds, which can be ground and used as coffee substitutes or pressed oil.

It is reported that the taste of the leaf is quite mild, but it has a little grass taste, so it matches well with the bold taste of garlic, onion and pepper. It can be found in many Indian curries and matches well with meat dishes. Okra leaves are rich in fiber, vitamin A and C, calcium, protein and iron.

From the end of summer to autumn, harvest okra leaves and use them immediately or store them in plastic bags in the refrigerator for up to three days.