OKRA
Hibiscus esculentus
An African native with an authentic African name, okra traveled
early to Asia and Europe, more recently to the Americas where slaves carried
it to Brazil in the 1600’s. It is a member of the mallow family and the only
one raised for its edible pods. Prized or despised for its somewhat gelatinous
quality, okra is a key ingredient in gumbo, the Creole stew popular in Louisiana.
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