The Okra House

 Making an okra house is as easy as planting your okra in a circle.

And there you have it, a magical garden house.

 

 There are a lot of ants on our okra this year, but thankfully they don't bite.  "Just brush them off, kids, brush them off."

 My kids will eat okra any way you deliver it.  RAW, sauteed, roasted, pickled, fried (although if it's fried Vera picks off the crust and just eats the okra)...

 Perhaps I like the okra house as much or more than my kids, but that's alright.  Adults are allowed to play and enjoy some whimsy. I get to go inside every few days to harvest our okra, and I get lost in the towering plants, big leaves, and gorgeous okra flowers.

 Most Southerners have eaten fried okra, but have you ever tried it sauteed or roasted?  These are our favorite ways to eat okra.  

To Sautee:

Cut your okra in bite sized pieces and toss in a pan of heated vegetable/canola oil (1 or 2 T).  Add a little salt and pepper, or maybe some paprika and garlic, and cook until some of the sides of the okra are nice and browned.  No need to batter and fry it!  It tastes great.

To Roast:

Spread about 1T oil on a baking sheet and evenly spread your okra (sliced or whole).  Sprinkle with some coarse salt and roast at about 375, stirring once or twice, until you get a nice browned edge.

 

Tip: Gardening with your 10 month old will help, ah hem, build their immune system.  

Tip: Slip-and-Slides are a great way to get the dirt off.