Grilled Okra

Okra really wasn’t a thing here in the north when I was a kid. I only remember my mom cooking it once – I think she bought it frozen – and we all thought it was pretty awful.

The first time I had okra and thought it was fantastic was in a Shrimp Creole Stew that a good southern friend made.

So, of course, I had to try growing it myself. And for a northern garden, it does pretty well. Okra likes hot, sunny weather, and my PA garden doesn’t always co-operate, but we get enough to make it worth our while.

In the south, okra seed is direct sown; here in the north, I start my okra plants indoors under lights about 6 weeks before our last average frost. After hardening them off, I plant the seedlings about 18″ apart in our lasagna garden which has rich, fertile soil.

Okra flowers are beautiful and watching them form into little okras is fantastic. I harvest them with scissors when they are about 3 – 6″ long. If they get larger, they will be tough. Every once in a while, I miss one and it gets huge. I dry those and save them for okra Santa ornaments for my Christmas tree.

I really, really love that Shrimp Creole, but it’s not an everyday meal around here. But we grill a lot when the weather is hot, and grilled okra is super easy, and super delicious. People always tell us they don’t like okra – and then they taste it grilled. This grilled okra recipe is a great way to change their minds.

Grilled Okra

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Course: Side Dish

Ingredients

• 1 lb fresh okra
• 1 - 2 tablespoon melted lard avocado oil or other oil with a high smoke point
• salt and pepper to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes optional

Instructions

• Heat your grill to high. Place a grilling platter on the grill.
• Cut off the okra stems, and brush the okra with melted lard or avocado oil.
• Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and red pepper flakes, if desired.
• Place the okra on the grilling platter. Close the grill and cook for 3 - 5 minutes. Turn the okra and grill several more minutes until they are browned.