Star of David Okra is grown both as an edible and ornamental in the garden. Okras are also related to cotton and hibiscus. They also produce beautiful mallow-like flowers. These Okras, in particular, grow from 6 to 10 feet tall and have beautiful purple leaves. The name comes from their pods. When they’re cut in half, the cross-section resembles Star of David. Okras themselves have been around for thousands of years and they have a well-known strong flavor.
Kingdom: Plantae
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Abelmoschus
Species: A. esculentus
Binomial name: Abelmoschus esculentus
Star of David Okra Trivia
- Okra is known as a superfood since it is low in calories and high in other nutrients
- Okras, in general, are commonly known as ladies’ fingers
- Old Okra is used to make paper and rope
- They also help make your skin smooth and in preventing pimples
Star of David Okra Buying Guide
When choosing to buy perfect okra, look for the bright colored pods. The pods themselves shouldn’t be more than 4 inches long. You should also avoid bruised, soft, dull, or blemished spots. If the okra is too mature, it will have a sticky texture to it.
Star of David Okra Production & Farming in Texas
Okras are a warm-season vegetable and they work well in most Texas soils. Okras ultimately require full sunlight and thrive in well-drained and very fertile soil. Start the seeds indoors, around four to six weeks before the last spring frost. Transplant them after all the danger of the frost has passed. They will grow best in soil that has been worked between 8 to 10 inches long. Rake the soil after you’ve removed rocks and trash from the soil.
Pesticides
Okras are considered to be one of the vegetables with the highest amount of pesticide residues. Many different insects attack the vegetable so the okra is protected with high amounts of pesticide residues.
Geography
It is believed that Okras come from northeast Africa, they came to the U.S in the 1660s. This particular variety, Star of David Okra came from Israel, makes sense doesn’t it? They’re mostly grown in the southern part of the U.S.
In Texas, give the plant lots of the sun and well-drained soil. They should be ready for harvest in about 60 to 70 days.
Packaging
Okras are most commonly packaged in carton liners, this helps you handle them with ease. Use separate sheets to wrap them to help you regulate the temperature.
Enjoying Star of David Okras
Okras are versatile meaning there are many different ways to prepare them. Star of David Okra is usually found in stews, soups, eaten fried or pickled, or as Gumbo. Don’t wash Okras until they’re ready for a meal as this will make the pods slimy. They work well with tomatoes, corn, and pepper.
Storage
To store them for a longer time, cut off their stems, and place them in plastic bags before putting them in a freezer. If you want to store them for two to three days, wrap them around in paper towels before putting them in the fridge.
Cooking
Roasted Okra is one of the interesting ways to showcase your vegetable. The recipe is very simple as it requires little to no work. Just preheat the oven to 425 degrees F and arrange the okras in one line on cookie sheets. Pour some olive oil and season it with salt and pepper. Bake it for around 10 to 15 minutes after the oven was preheated. It is done and ready to be served.
When Are Star of David Okra in Season in Texas?
To find out when Star of David Okra are in season in Texas, please check the seasonal chart below. Why is this important? We are rarely encouraged to think about the physical lengths our food travels before arriving on the market shelves. And all of this travel comes with a hefty environmental cost that is concealed from the consumer’s eye. One of the most salient benefits to eating seasonally is that you are effectively reducing your carbon footprint and supporting a more geographically sustainable food economy. Check other fruit and veg that’s in season in Texas now.
