This vegetable has many names, among them: gombo, okra and fingers of ladies. If you hear this name, it means okra, a very valuable vegetable crop that belongs to the Malvine family. Nothing is known about the birthplace of this plant, but it is widespread in Africa, North America, India and the tropics. Some call it the birthplace of West Africa, others call it India. This is due to the fact that in these places a wide variety of varieties and types of okra grows. The vegetables are found in Europe, but the Arabs brought them there. Grow it in Russia and Ukraine. This was possible after the start of a significant warming.
The number of enthusiasts who grow it is very small. Okra is an annual herb. In height, it can grow up to 40 cm, but there are cases in which the vegetable reaches two meters. The okra has a very thick and branched stem. The leaves are light green. They are very large and have seven lobes, although they are five. The flowers are quite large, creamy yellowish in color. They are located in the stems in the armpit of the leaves. This is where the fruits are formed. In people, the fruits of okra are called capsules, because they have 4-8 facets, within which there are seeds. Okra, as the eggplant is very demanding in terms of heat.
In this sense, its cultivation is dedicated to the southern regions. But it was before, now the situation has changed a bit. The artisans-gardeners cultivate it successfully in colder countries. Vegetables are increasingly seen on the shelves of stores, not only in frozen form, but also fresh. Recently, okra can be found in the market. Harvest of this plant from August to November.
When choosing okra, special attention should be paid to its appearance. The pods should be 10 cm, this is the maximum length. Buy should be less long fruit. They should be bright green without damage, mold spots or dry areas. Buy only young and tender fruits that should be firm to the touch. Sometimes there are varieties with a darker color, even slightly reddish. To determine too ripe fruit it is very easy in a coriaceous skin. Such a vegetable is very resistant and fibrous, completely unsuitable for cooking, it only spoils it.
Okra is a very perishable product. It can only be stored for three days. If you are going to store the vegetables in the refrigerator, wrap them first in a newspaper or in a paper bag.
It is known that the well-known writer, Anton Pavlovich Chekhov, was engaged in cultivating okra. At the beginning of the last century, he diligently cultivated a vegetable in his plot.
Low calorie dietary product, of which 100 g contains only 31 kcal, so that people who care about their weight can eat it without damaging their figure.
Okra is called a vegetarian's dream because of the enormous amount of nutrients and nutrients it contains: iron, proteins, dietary fiber, vitamins C, B6, K, A, calcium and potassium.
It is especially recommended to pregnant women to eat okra due to the concentration of folic acid it contains. The neural tube of the embryo is formed with its help in the first weeks of pregnancy. This vegetable regulates the level of blood sugar due to the fact that vegetable okra slime and its fiber in the diet is absorbed in the small intestine. People with GI dysfunction are especially advised to buy dishes that contain okra.
It is the perfect vegetable to lose weight, as it does not harm health. Okra is a great help to treat diseases such as: sore throat, depression, chronic fatigue. Okra can even reduce asthma attacks. This vegetable is especially good in the diet of people suffering from atherosclerosis. In addition to all this, okra can strengthen the walls of the capillaries. Okra removes excess cholesterol and toxins from our body.
It prevents blisters, constipation and also helps in the treatment of gastric ulcers. A study was conducted in okra, which showed that it can prevent colorectal cancer. Reduces the risk of diabetes and cataracts. Vegetable solves all the problems associated with potency. Doctors usually do not attribute okra to patients after surgery. It has only 31 calories, so okra is so important in the diet.
The kitchen is the main application of okra. The young leaves are also suitable for cooking. Its flavor is a bit like asparagus and eggplant. In this sense, prepare a vegetable, using the same recipes as for similar products. The okra can be stewed, boiled, canned and even used for salads. It is ideal for soups, meat dishes, appetizers and vegetable dishes. As a side dish, it adapts perfectly to poultry, fish and meat. Okra, during the heat treatment produces a lot of mucus. This is excellent if you are cooking soup, but if such a quantity of liquid is not advisable, fry the vegetable over high heat with the addition of lemon or tomato juice. Okra seeds also deserve attention, since after a full toast they can be used instead of coffee. Often they are tightened to obtain an oil with a very subtle and very pleasant aroma.
Okra has no contraindications, except in cases of individual intolerance. However, large pods have small combustion areas that can be neutralized by heat treatment, otherwise they can cause unpleasant itching, so gloves are recommended. Also during the preparation of the okra, do not forget to remove the hair from its surface, because in some cases, they can cause an allergic reaction.
