If you like the taste of okra, you should wait for the height of the okra season and set aside some freshpods to freeze.When you're craving the taste of summery okra during the dark winter months, think ahead.Cut it into pieces, flash freeze it, and then store it.If you don't thaw it out, you could end up with okra that's too strong.The proper way to freeze okra is shown in Step 1.
Step 1: Go for fresh okra.
If you freeze okra that is past its peak, you won't be pleased with the taste and texture of the okra when you thaw it later.Pick okra with no spots or scars.Pick the okra fresh.It will result in the best-tasting okra later on if you freeze it before it starts degrading.If you don't grow your own okra, you can buy it from a farmer's market or a store that regularly replenishes.You don't want okra that has been sitting on a shelf for a while.
Step 2: Put the okra in a bowl.
A steady stream of cool water is used to rinse away dirt and debris.Instead of scrubbing okra off, gently massage it away.Okra is a vegetable that will bruise easily if handled.
Step 3: The stems need to be trimmed.
The okra's tips should be trimmed with a sharp knife.Don't remove the entire cap, just trim the stems.The okra will break down quickly if you expose the seed cell.
Step 4: Put the pot of boiling water in it's place.
Bring the water to a rolling boil in a large pot.The okra will be blanched.
Step 5: An ice bath can be prepared.
Put ice and water in a bowl.The okra will be thrown into the bowl after being blanched.
Step 6: Okra can be blanched for 3 - 4 minutes.
The okra should be placed in the water.If the okra is large, it needs to be boiled for 4 minutes.If they are on the small side, Blanch them for 3 minutes.Remove the okra from the pot with a spoon.If you have a lot of okra, sort it before you cook it.Blanch the small and large pieces at the same time.The texture of each will be preserved by doing it separately.Blanching vegetables helps preserve their color, flavor and texture by killing the enzymes that cause them to rot.If you don't blanche the okra before freezing it, you'll end up with a bland okra when you thaw it.
Step 7: The okra should be placed into the ice bath.
You should chill blanched vegetables the same amount of time as you blanche them.If you chill okra for 3 minutes, blanche it.If you blanched large pieces, chill them for 4 minutes.
Step 8: Put okra in a container and wash it.
Okra can be placed on a cutting board or tray and dried before being used.
Step 9: Put the okra in a container.
Think about what you will use okra for.If you're putting it in a stew, chop it horizontally to make chunks.If you plan to serve it as a side dish, you should chop it in half.The seeds should be left intact.It's best to bread okra before freezing it.In the next section, follow the steps.
Step 10: The okra should be placed on the sheet.
Don't touch the pieces if you lay them out in a single layer.
Step 11: The okra needs to be frozen.
If you want to freeze okra, put the tray in the freezer and freeze it for an hour.Okra can be left in the freezer for longer if the chill affects their texture.
Step 12: Place okra in freezer bags.
The okra pieces should be placed within an inch of the top of each freezer bag.A straw can be stuck into the empty headspace if the top of the bag is closed.Remove the straw and seal the bag after sucking the air out of it.The okra will not break down as quickly if the air is removed.The air will be removed from you by the machine.It's a good idea to label your bags with the date they were packed.
Step 13: You can use the okra that is frozen.
It is possible to add frozen okra to stew, soup, and casseroles without having to thaw it first.The best way to cook okra is immediately.The more okra is handled, the worse it gets.
Step 14: The okra should be chopped into pieces.
You can cut the okra into bite-sized pieces with a sharp knife.
Step 15: You can bread okra.
A mixture of flour and cornmeal is used to make fried okra.It's fine to use plain cornmeal or mix it with a pinch of salt and pepper.Every piece of okra should be in a thin layer of breading to shake off excess.The okra won't hold up well in the freezer if you use a wet batter to bread it.
Step 16: The okra should be frozen in the flash.
The okra pieces should be placed on a baking sheet.Put the baking sheet in the freezer.When okra is firm enough to hold its shape, remove it from the freezer.
Step 17: Put the okra pieces in freezer bags.
The okra pieces should be placed within an inch of the top of each freezer bag.A straw can be stuck into the empty headspace if the top of the bag is closed.Remove the straw and seal the bag after sucking the air out of it.
Step 18: Okra can be Fryed.
When okra is ready to be used, heat vegetable or peanut oil in a large stockpot.When you add a piece of cornmeal to the pot, let the oil get hot enough to sizzle.Put the frozen okra pieces directly into the hot oil and cook them until they're golden brown and crisp.To serve, add salt and pepper.