Okra (pronounced US: /ˈoʊkrə/, UK: /ˈɒkrə/), known by many other names, is a flowering plant in the mallow family (along with such species as cotton, cocoa, and hibiscus), valued for its edible green fruits. Okra’s scientific name is Abelmoschus esculentus; it is occasionally referred to as Hibiscus esculentus L.
The name “okra” most often used in the United States is of West African origin and is cognate with “ọ́kụ̀rụ̀” in Igbo, a language spoken in Nigeria. Okra is often known as lady’s fingers outside of the United States. It is called bhindi in Hindi.
Okra is native to the Old World tropics (West Africa) and has become established in the wild in some New World tropical areas. It is believed that okra first reached the New World during the days of slave trafficking. Okra is a popular and important food worldwide. Okra may have been introduced to southeastern North America in the early 18th century.
Okra is eaten as a food. A traditional food plant in Africa, this vegetable has potential to improve nutrition, boost food security, foster rural development and support sustainable landcare. In Syria, Egypt, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Yemen, and other parts of the eastern Mediterranean, including Cyprus, okra is widely used in a thick stew made with vegetables and meat. It is one of the most popular vegetables among Middle Eastern Jews. Okra forms part of several regional “signature” dishes.
In Indian and Pakistani cooking it is sauteed or added to gravy-based preparations, and is very popular in North India & Pakistan. In western parts of India okra is one of the most popular vegetables, and is often cooked in daily meals, usually stir-fried with spices and some sugar. Frango com quiabo (chicken with okra) is a Brazilian dish that is especially famous in the region of Minas Gerais. Gumbo, a hearty stew whose key ingredient is okra, is found throughout the Gulf Coast of the United States and in the South Carolina Lowcountry.
You can find authentic Hispanic Okra on many Hispanic Restaurants in Los Angeles.
