Fried okra is a tradition in Southern households and a great way to use that summer garden harvest.
Ingredients
1 lb. fresh okra (frozen and thawed or fresh-picked from the garden)
2 cups yellow cornmeal (optional to divide between 1 cup flour & 1 cup cornmeal)
1 cup buttermilk
1 egg (optional)
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
1 in. vegetable oil in pan (bacon fat can be used for added flavor)
Instructions
Trim okra by snipping off ends and cut into ½ in. pieces.
In large bowl, whisk together buttermilk and egg or simply fill with buttermilk.
Toss okra in buttermilk and allow to marinate at room temperature for at least 15 minutes.
Mix cornmeal, salt and pepper and set aside.
Heat oil in cast iron skillet on medium to medium-high heat, depending on your stove.
When hot, dredge okra in cornmeal, coating well, then cook okra until golden brown, careful not to crowd okra in pan. ***Oil will be ready when test piece bubbles immediately.
Cover a plate with paper towels and use to drain oil from cooked okra.
Serve warm.
Recipe by BloominThyme at https://bloominthyme.com/recipes/savory/fried-okra/