How to Fry Okra Like My Mother-in-law

A depression era recipe

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. First, pick or buy the okra.
   
   If you go out in the early morning you can snap off the tender young pods. If you wait until mid-morning or later you will need to cut the young pods with with a knife.
   
   Okra is best when it is about 3 inches long, and much over 4 inches it will get tough. You will know if your okra is too old when you slice it: too large okra will be tough!

2. Mix 1 cup of flour with 1 teaspoon of salt.
   
   Slice the okra 1 inch thick, more or less.
   
   Spoon in some of the flour mixture and stir. Let sit for about 15 minutes.

3. Heat the oil: it is hot enough when a drop of water sizzles. Pick up the okra in small fistfuls, letting any loose flour drop off. Put the okra in the oil.
   
   Fry, stirring gently every 30 seconds or so, until the okra is browned on both sides.
   
   Serve warm.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have only a little okra it is good if you sprinkle it on the potatos, if you have enough okra serve it as a vegetable.