Health Benefits of Okra + Roasted Okra Recipe
Texas summers are brutal. The heat and the humidity together create a summer dormant period that most common garden vegetables simply can’t withstand. Not okra.
My okra plants really won’t take off until the thermometer starts flirting with that 100-degree mark. Then, it’s okra non-stop until the first freeze. Sometimes it might take a late-summer hiatus, but stick with it and it’ll be back to gift you with gobs and gobs more of its delicious spears.
Okra, like all vegetables, is a nutritional powerhouse. Here are just a few benefits of incorporating okra into your diet:
Okra is high in several B vitamins which are crucial for many different body systems, such as supporting mitochondrial function and energy levels, digestion and stomach acid production, blood sugar regulation, and more!
Okra is an excellent source of vitamin C, which supports the immune system, provides antioxidant support, and helps the body utilize iron.
High levels of vitamin K in okra help the body to utilize vitamin D which, in turn, supports calcium utilization and energy production, to name a few.
Okra is a good source of phosphorus and manganese, both of which support the nervous system and production of neurotransmitters.
Okra’s famous slime helps hydrate the body while its fiber-packed “shell” improves digestion and liver-function.
My favorite way to prepare okra is to roast it. However, roasting leads to a lower amount of vitamins in the cooked food (mineral levels remain high). Boiling or steaming for a short period of time prevents as much vitamin degradation but can lead to leaching of the nutrients into the water. Be sure to consume the liquid with your meal if you prepare foods this way (for example, okra cooked in a pot of gumbo or stew).
ROASTED OKRA
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Slice okra in half, lengthwise. Place in bowl and toss with avocado oil or melted ghee, garlic powder, salt, pepper, and herbs. Place on baking sheet or glass dish in a single layer and roast in oven for 20 minutes.
