Pickled Okra Recipe 375

PICKLED OKRA

Steps:

• Wash the okra and trim the stem to 1/2-inch. Place 1 chile, 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds, 3 sprigs of dill, 1 clove of garlic and 1/4 teaspoon peppercorns in the bottom of each of 4 sterilized pint canning jars. Divide the okra evenly among the 4 jars, standing them up vertically, alternating stems up and down.
• In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the salt, vinegar and water to a boil. Once boiling, pour this mixture over the okra in the jars, leaving space between the top of the liquid and the lid. Seal the lids. Set in a cool dry place for 2 weeks.
• *Tips on Sterilizing Jars
• Properly-handled sterilized equipment will keep canned foods in good condition for years. Sterilizing jars is the first step of preserving foods.
• Sterilizing Tips:
• Jars should be made from glass and free of any chips or cracks. Preserving or canning jars are topped with a glass, plastic, or metal lid, which has a rubber seal. Two piece lids are best for canning, as they vacuum seal when processed.
• To sterilize jars, before filling with jams, pickles, or preserves, wash jars and lids with hot, soapy water. Rinse well and arrange jars and lids open sides up, without touching, on a tray. Boil the jars and lids in a large saucepan, covered with water, for 15 minutes.
• Use tongs when handling the hot sterilized jars, to move them from boiling water. Be sure the tongs are sterilized too, by dipping the ends in boiling water for a few minutes.
• As a rule, hot preserves go into hot jars and cold preserves go into cold jars. All items used in the process of making jams, jellies, and preserves must be clean. This includes any towels used, and especially your hands.
• After the jars are sterilized, you can preserve the food. It is important to follow any canning and processing instructions included in the recipe and refer to USDA guidelines about the sterilization of canned products.

GRANDMA OMA'S PICKLED OKRA

Steps:

• Divide the fresh okra evenly between 3 sterile (1 pint) jars. Place one dried chile, and one teaspoon of dill into each jar.
• In a small saucepan, combine the water, vinegar and salt. Bring to a rolling boil. Pour over the ingredients in the jars, and seal in a hot water bath for 10 minutes. Refrigerate jars after opening.

SPICY PICKLED OKRA

Steps:

• Wash the okra, rubbing lightly to remove any grit and fuzz. Sterilize 2 (1 quart ) canning jars and lids in boiling water for at least 10 minutes, allow to cool before filling with okra.
• Combine the cider vinegar, water, garlic, red pepper flakes, smoked paprika, salt, and peppercorns to a boil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Reduce the temperature and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Pack fresh, cleaned okra loosely into the jars. Pour the hot brine over the okra, filling the jars to the top. Seal jars, making sure you have cleaned the jar's rims of any residue. Store the jars in the refrigerator. Allow contents to pickle at least one week minimum before eating, two weeks is best.

PICKLED OKRA - DEE DEE'S

Steps:

• 1. Wash okra several times; drain well. Cut stems if necessary but do NOT cut into the okra pod.
• 2. Pack okra into hot sterilized jars.
• 3. To each jar, add 1 dill flowerette, 1 tsp dill seed or 1/4 tsp dried dill. NOTE: I used the dry dill as fresh dill was not available. Add a hot pepper pod and 1 clove of fresh garlic to each jar; set aside. NOTE: today I used 1/8 tsp of hot pepper flakes in place of pepper pods. I prefer hot pepper pods but none were available.
• 4. Combine vinegar, water and salt together in a pot and bring to a full boil. Pour over okra, seal jars at once.
• 5. Place packed and sealed jars in to a hot water bath; bring to a full boil. Boil 5 minutes for pints or 7 minutes for quarts.

QUICK-PICKLED OKRA

Steps:

• Wash and dry the okra. Trim the tops and cut lengthwise into quarters.
• Wash 2 (16-ounce) wide-mouth jars, lids and rims with hot, soapy water. Dry them with clean towels. In each jar, place 2 garlic cloves, 1 oregano sprig, 1 basil sprig, 1 bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon black peppercorns, 1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds, 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, 1/4 teaspoon fennel seeds and 1/8 teaspoon ground cayenne. Divide the okra spears evenly among the jars.
• Add the vinegar, sugar and salt plus 1 cup water to a medium pot and heat over high. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Allow to simmer for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the salt and sugar dissolve completely.
• Remove from the heat and add the liquid to the jars. Screw the lids and rims on tightly. Let the jars cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes, then refrigerate until ready to enjoy. Allow at least 4 hours for the seasoning to penetrate the okra. Quick-pickled okra can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 months. (A longer resting time means more flavor and less goo.)

REFRIGERATOR PICKLED OKRA (TWO WAYS)

Steps:

• Trim stems off okra pods so the tops are flat, but the pod isn't opened up. Sprinkle with kosher salt and set aside in a colander, along with banana peppers (if making sweet and tangy version).
• Combine remaining ingredients in a small saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
• Rinse off okra pods and pack tightly into a clean spaghetti sauce jar or other jar, along with banana peppers (if making sweet and tangy version).
• Let vinegar mixture cool for about 10 minutes, then pour over the okra until the jar is full. If there is slightly too much liquid, make sure you get all the "good stuff" in the jar before disposing of any excess vinegar.
• Screw on the top and refrigerate for 48 hours. Enjoy!

FRIED PICKLED OKRA

Steps:

• 1. Heat oil in a deep fryer or large pot to 375 degrees.
• 2. Pull okra out of the jar and place on a paper towel-lined plate.
• 3. In one bowl, mix the egg, milk, and pickle juice. In a second bowl mix the dry ingredients
• 4. Dredge the okra in the flour mixture.
• 5. Next, dredge them in the wet ingredients.
• 6. Then dredge the okra back into the flour mixture.
• 7. Place the okra in the heated oil and fry for 5-6 minutes until golden brown.
• 8. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt.
• 9. Enjoy with ranch dressing or your favorite dipping sauce.