I have always loved okra; even as a kid, I’d eat the okra pieces out of Lipton’s Chicken Gumbo Soup before I’d dig into the bowl.  Don’t ask me why, ‘cause I really have no idea why it holds such appeal.  But, I only cook it in the summer when it is fresh in the farmers market or at farm stands and I only buy the wee pods as the big ones are tough and stringy.  The recipe I use is quite simple and so yummy – or, at least it is to me.

If this one doesn’t make you a convert, try it sautéed with lots of onion, a touch of tomato, and lots of Indian spices or curry powder and chiles – also delicious!  And, if you have the time, there is nothing better than pickled okra – it is a crunchy snack or hors d’oeuvre.

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 medium sweet onion, peeled and cut into a medium dice

1 teaspoon minced garlic

1 pound tiny fresh okra pods, trimmed of the stem end and cut, crosswise, into small pieces

4 plum tomatoes, peeled, cored, and chopped

or 1 cup canned chopped tomatoes

Crushed red pepper flakes to taste

Salt and pepper to taste

1 tablespoon chopped parsley

Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan over medium heat.  Add the onion and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 4 minutes or until softened.  Add the okra and cook for a minute or so.  Stir in the tomatoes and season with red pepper flakes, salt, and pepper to taste.  Cook, stirring frequently, for about 10 minutes or just until the okra is still a bit firm and the tomatoes have softened and exuded their juice.  Stir in the parsley, remove from the heat, and serve.