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Photo: Shanna Jones
Pictured Recipe:One-Pan Spicy Okra & Shrimp
Before You Start
The best way to freeze okra calls for blanching and shocking the pods before freezing. That means you dunk the okra pods in a pot of boiling water for about 30 seconds and then plunge them into ice water to halt the cooking. According to experts at theUniversity of Minnesota Extension, this method of quick-cooking vegetables before freezing deactivates enzymes that cause the loss of nutrients, color, flavor and texture.
While we encourage you to preserve as many nutrients as you can, you can skip the blanching and freeze the okra without it. It may lose some of its vibrant green color but, in my experience, the texture and flavor of frozen okra that has been blanched isn’t much different from okra that hasn’t.
How to Freeze Okra
What You’ll Need:
Step 1Shanna JonesWash the okra pods thoroughly and cut them into bite-size pieces, if desired.Step 2Shanna JonesBring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, prepare a large bowl of ice water.Step 3Shanna JonesCarefully add the okra to the boiling water; cook until the pods turn bright green, about 30 seconds.Step 4Shanna JonesUsing tongs or a slotted spoon, quickly transfer the pods to the ice water and let them cool for a few minutes. Remove the pods from the ice water and pat dry with paper towels.Step 5Shanna JonesSpread the pods out in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet (a silicone mat works too). Make sure the pods are not touching each other, so they don’t stick together when they freeze. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour, or until the pods are frozen.Step 6Shanna JonesRemove the baking sheet from the freezer and place the frozen okra in zip-top plastic freezer bags or in an airtight plastic container. Store in the freezer for up to a year.
Step 1Shanna JonesWash the okra pods thoroughly and cut them into bite-size pieces, if desired.
Step 1
Shanna Jones
Wash the okra pods thoroughly and cut them into bite-size pieces, if desired.
Step 2Shanna JonesBring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, prepare a large bowl of ice water.
Step 2
Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile, prepare a large bowl of ice water.
Step 3Shanna JonesCarefully add the okra to the boiling water; cook until the pods turn bright green, about 30 seconds.
Step 3
Carefully add the okra to the boiling water; cook until the pods turn bright green, about 30 seconds.
Step 4Shanna JonesUsing tongs or a slotted spoon, quickly transfer the pods to the ice water and let them cool for a few minutes. Remove the pods from the ice water and pat dry with paper towels.
Step 4
Using tongs or a slotted spoon, quickly transfer the pods to the ice water and let them cool for a few minutes. Remove the pods from the ice water and pat dry with paper towels.
Step 5Shanna JonesSpread the pods out in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet (a silicone mat works too). Make sure the pods are not touching each other, so they don’t stick together when they freeze. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour, or until the pods are frozen.
Step 5
Spread the pods out in a single layer on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet (a silicone mat works too). Make sure the pods are not touching each other, so they don’t stick together when they freeze. Place the baking sheet in the freezer for about an hour, or until the pods are frozen.
Step 6Shanna JonesRemove the baking sheet from the freezer and place the frozen okra in zip-top plastic freezer bags or in an airtight plastic container. Store in the freezer for up to a year.
Step 6
Remove the baking sheet from the freezer and place the frozen okra in zip-top plastic freezer bags or in an airtight plastic container. Store in the freezer for up to a year.
Okra freezes better than many vegetables. You can cook it most ways that you would fresh okra. It works perfectly in gumbo or stewed with tomatoes. You can even grill and sauté it too.
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