What is the easiest way to freeze okra?
Part 3 of 3: Freezing it for Frying
- Chop the okra into pieces. Use a sharp knife to cut the okra into bite-sized pieces that will fry evenly.
- Bread the okra. Fried okra is typically breaded with cornmeal, or a mixture of cornmeal and flour. ...
- Flash freeze the okra. Place the okra pieces on a baking sheet in a single layer. ...
- Portion the okra pieces into freezer bags. ...
- Fry the okra. ...
What is the best way to preserve okra?
- The first step in storing okra is to wash the vegetables. ...
- Stuff the boiled okra into the mason jar, along with water and a teaspoon of salt for every quart of the jar’s space. ...
- Submerge the filled mason jars in the pressure canner and close the lid. ...
- The temperature in which the pressure canner is working kills the germs trapped inside the mason jars. ...
How do you keep okra fresh without fridge?
Method 3 Method 3 of 3: Freezing Your Okra Pods Download Article
- Harvest the youngest okra pods. Select the youngest and most tender pods and separate them based on size.
- Wash your pods in water to remove dirt and bugs. Use cold or room temperature water, between 59 to 80 °F (15 to 27 °C).
- Cut the stems from your fresh okra pods using a kitchen knife. ...
- Prepare boiling water in a pot. ...
Can I substitute frozen okra for fresh?
Can you substitute frozen okra for fresh? Do not substitute frozen okra, which will be too watery. Wash okra and pat dry. Remove tips and ends, and cut into 1/2-inch slices. In a small bowl, whisk buttermilk and egg. Do you thaw frozen okra before frying? Find the recipe for my Old School Skillet Fried Okra here.
See more
How do you freeze fresh okra?
Place whole pods into airtight freezer bags or containers. Or cut pods crosswise prior to freezing. For either method, you can also individually quick freeze pods or pieces by placing them on a parchment-lined tray and slipping it into the freezer for a few hours. Once they're frozen, place them into freezer bags.
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.
Do you have to parboil okra before freezing?
Carefully drop the okra pods into the boiling water. The blanching halts the enzymatic process, so the okra maintains that just-picked color, flavor, and texture. Without blanching, these enzymes could survive in the freezer and continue the decaying process.
Does okra freeze well?
The smooth type varieties freeze as well as or better than the ridged varieties because they do not split as easily. Preparation – Select young tender pods and separate into small pods (4 inches or under) and large pods. Wash.
What is the best way to preserve okra?
Refrigerate unwashed, dry okra pods in the vegetable crisper, loosely wrapped in perforated plastic bags. Wet pods will quickly mold and become slimy. Okra will keep for only two or three days. When ridges and tips of pods turn dark, it needs to be used immediately.
How do you make frozen okra not slimy?
If you freeze okra and cut it while it is still frozen, it will less slimy than when you cut it fresh. A second trick for reducing sliminess is to soak the okra in vinegar for half an hour before cooking it. Rinse it and pat dry before cooking.
Can you fry frozen okra?
Frozen okra needs to be put into preheated oil carefully. Cook for at least 6 minutes or e 5-6 minutes or until golden brown. DRAIN and serve.
How do you blanch okra in the oven?
Oven - Place sliced okra in a single layer on a cookie sheet or in a shallow pan. Heat in a 300-degree oven about 20 minutes, a 350-degree oven about 12 minutes. Turn okra over once while heating.
Do you wash okra before cutting?
It's important to wash Okra, irrespective of what anyone says to you to get rid of any dirt or chemicals still stuck to the skin. But what's more important is to dry it well before cooking. Wash uncut Okra under running water, and then pat it dry with a cloth towel before cutting.
Can you use frozen okra for okra water?
If you have an abundance of okra or just want to try a refreshing drink, make okra water, also called okra juice. You can soak okra and squeeze the mucilage into water for a cooling drink or blend it with frozen fruit for a nutritious smoothie.
Can you eat okra raw?
The entire okra plant is edible. The leaves can be eaten raw in salads or cooked like any other greens. Okra pods can even be eaten raw.
How do you preserve okra for frying?
Lay the okra out single file on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Single layer will prevent the okra from sticking together in a big frozen mass. Place the baking sheet in the freezer and freeze for at least 4 hours. Transfer the okra to a ziplock freezer bag or freezer container.
What happens if you freeze vegetables without blanching?
Blanching helps vegetables keep their vibrant colors and retain nutrients, and stops the enzymes that would otherwise lead to spoilage. Freezing vegetables without blanching them first results in faded or dulled coloring, as well as off flavors and textures.
Can you freeze it without blanching?
Except for onions and peppers, which you can freeze raw, you should blanch or fully cook vegetables before freezing. Blanching vegetables, or dunking them into boiling water, stops the enzymes that cause discoloration and turn frozen produce mushy. Raw fruit, on the other hand, freezes just fine.
How do you store fresh okra before cooking?
Storing Okra Place fresh okra in a paper bag, or wrap it in a paper towel and place the paper towel in a perforated plastic bag. Store okra in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. For longer storage, okra may be frozen.
Do you wash okra before cutting?
It's important to wash Okra, irrespective of what anyone says to you to get rid of any dirt or chemicals still stuck to the skin. But what's more important is to dry it well before cooking. Wash uncut Okra under running water, and then pat it dry with a cloth towel before cutting.
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. So though it’s an extra step, I highly recommend it!
Okra Freezing Options
If you prefer fried okra (or “oven fried”) then you can go ahead and coat your cooled okra in cornmeal before putting it in the freezer bags.
How long does it take to cook frozen okra?
There really isn’t much difference in the time it takes to cook frozen okra versus fresh. A few more minutes in the oven or in the pot/skillet should do the trick. For my oven roasted okra recipe, I would add just a few minutes, or until the edges begin to brown.
1. Wash and Stem Okra
Start with fresh okra. Young, unblemished, and tender okra is always best. Soak the whole okra pods in a mixture of equal parts water and vinegar. This will help to dissolve any pesticide and fertilizer residue (and bugs...yikes). Soak the okra in the solution for a couple of minutes, and rinse clean. Cut off the stems of the okra.
2. Blanch and Shock Okra
Now for blanching — this process is vital when freezing most vegetables, because it will halt the enzyme process so the okra maintains its fresh color and flavor even when frozen. Blanch the okra by submerging it in boiling water for up to four minutes. Then immediately stop the cooking process by submerging okra in an ice bath.
3. Chop Okra (or don't)
Depending on how you like to enjoy your okra, you can either chop them into bite-sized pieces now or leave the okra whole. If you plan on frying the okra, you can go ahead and toss the okra in your cornmeal mixture before freezing.
4. Freeze Okra on Baking Sheet
To keep your okra from freezing in one giant clump, you'll need to first give them a "flash freeze." To do this, line a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the okra on top in a single layer. Make sure none are overlapping. Place in the freezer until okra is completely solid, about four hours to overnight.
5. Transfer Okra to Freezer Bag
Once the okra is frozen, transfer the okra from the baking sheet to a freezer-safe bag. Try to get as much air out of the bag as you can before sealing it. Label the bag with the date and store in the freezer for up to a year. When you're ready to use, simply cook the okra straight from the bag, no thawing required.