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Fried okra is a side dish associated with the cuisine of the Southern United States, particularly soul food. It is made by coating sliced okra in cornmeal and then frying it.

History

Okra is a staple of the cuisine of the Southern United States, with fried okra being the most popular method of preparation.[1][2] Okra was first transported to the Americas by slave ships during the Atlantic slave trade.[3] The method of frying okra is believed to have roots in the Congo[4] or West Africa before being transported to the United States.[1] During the mid-19th century, fried vegetables and fritters became increasingly popular in the South which contributed to the popularity of fried okra.[5]

Fried okra is popularly served at barbecues and restaurants in the South, especially as part of a meat and three.[2] It is often consumed during the summer, when okra is in season.[6][7] It has been called "Southern popcorn".[8] The dish is associated with soul food,[9][10] Cajun[11] and Gullah Geechee cuisine.[1] It is included in the Oklahoma state meal, a menu based on the agricultural and culinary history of Oklahoma that is an official state symbol.[12]

Preparation

The basic preparation of fried okra is simple, requiring okra that has been dredged in oil and fried.[2] The okra pods are cut into slices and then tossed or dredged in cornmeal before frying in butter[13] or vegetable oil.[14][4] Either deep frying and pan frying may be used.[1] More complex recipes involve dipping the okra in eggs or buttermilk prior to dredging in cornmeal or cornmeal and flour.[15][16][17][18] Another method of preparation calls for a cornmeal batter that includes beaten eggs. This batter may be seasoned with ingredients such as black pepper and cayenne pepper.[19]

Okra can become slimy when sliced.[20] Cutting the okra into small pieces before frying allows it to maintain a crispier exterior texture,[8] but results in a slimier interior.[16] Whole okra pods may also be fried.[21]

It is typically served as a side dish,[2] sometimes with a dipping sauce such as remoulade.[22][23]

References

  1. ^ a b c d Stewart, Kayla (2022-07-11). "Fried Okra, Beyond the Batter". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  2. ^ a b c d "Fried Okra Recipe". Southern Living. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  3. ^ Krystal, Becky (June 9, 2021). "Extra-crispy fried okra is the snack of the summer". The Washington Post.
  4. ^ a b Dupree, Nathalie (2004-03-01). New Southern Cooking. University of Georgia Press. p. 92. ISBN 978-0-8203-2630-6.
  5. ^ "American Cookery & A History of Its Ingredients". www.digitalussouth.org. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  6. ^ Fabricant, Florence (2019-08-26). "There's a Lot to Love About Fried Okra". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  7. ^ Ellis, Becky (2022-06-30). "Southern Spoonful: The Garden Gifts of Summer". TheRoanoker.com. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  8. ^ a b "Fried Okra". Washington Post. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  9. ^ Cortés, Carlos E. (2013-08-15). Multicultural America: A Multimedia Encyclopedia. SAGE Publications. p. 634. ISBN 978-1-4522-7626-7.
  10. ^ Piatti-Farnell, Lorna (2011-07-13). Food and Culture in Contemporary American Fiction. Routledge. pp. 61–62. ISBN 978-1-136-64554-9.
  11. ^ "Classic Cajun Cuisine". www.thegazette.com. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  12. ^ "State Meal | The Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History and Culture". Oklahoma Historical Society | OHS. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  13. ^ Warnes, Andrew (2004). Hunger Overcome?: Food and Resistance in Twentieth-century African American Literature. University of Georgia Press. pp. 30–31. ISBN 978-0-8203-2562-0.
  14. ^ "Fried Okra". Food Network. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  15. ^ H, Mark. "Fried Okra Recipe - Food.com". www.food.com. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  16. ^ a b "Southern Fried Okra". Taste of Home. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  17. ^ admin (2014-10-15). "Fried Okra Recipe - Cooking with Paula Deen". Paula Deen Magazine. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  18. ^ Cook, Brandie @ The Country (2022-05-16). "Southern Fried Okra". The Country Cook. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  19. ^ "Fried Okra Recipe | Southern Recipes". PBS Food. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  20. ^ "We'll Say It: Crispy Fried Okra Is The Best Way To Enjoy The Veggie". Delish. 2023-02-14. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  21. ^ Corbett, Lee Cleveland (1917). The Propagation of Plants. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 7.
  22. ^ "Fried Okra With Rémoulade Recipe". NYT Cooking. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
  23. ^ "Fried Okra with Herb Remoulade". Martha Stewart. Retrieved 2023-06-30.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fried_okra