Introducing recipes and methods for good frozen preservation of okra [Explanation with photos! ]

What do you usually do when you have leftover okra?

I can't eat okra every day, and I have a hard time coming up with recipes.

In such cases, we recommend freezing it.

Freezing okra not only preserves it for a long time, but also preserves its rich nutritional content.

We'll show you how to properly freeze okra, how to thaw it, and some easy recipes using frozen okra.

Advantages of freezing okra

Can be stored for long periods without low temperature damage

Okra is a perishable vegetable and will quickly turn black even when stored in the refrigerator.

In fact, okra is sensitive to cold, and if the temperature drops below 5 degrees, it may turn black due to low temperature damage.

The optimum temperature is around 10 degrees Celsius, and in the summer, wrap it in newspaper and store it in the vegetable room instead of the refrigerator, and in the winter, store it in a cool, dark place without putting it in the refrigerator.

The approximate storage period if not frozen is 4 to 5 days.

It is a surprisingly delicate vegetable, but if you freeze it, it can be stored for about a month without suffering from low-temperature damage.

Can retain rich nutrients for a long time

Okra contains rich nutrients.

Okra is characterized by its stickiness, and this stickiness is due to dietary fiber.

Specifically, they include pectin, alaban, and galactan.

Among them, pectin has an intestinal regulating effect and is effective in preventing constipation.

It also helps prevent colon cancer.

Other green and yellow vegetables are rich in beta-carotene, potassium, and calcium.

By properly freezing okra, you can preserve these nutrients for a long time.

Freezing storage method

I will show you how to freeze them raw and how to boil them and then freeze them.

It's easier to do this raw, but boiled meat can be stored for a little longer because it undergoes heat treatment.

How to freeze raw food

1. Rub the okra with a small amount of salt to remove the downy hairs, and remove the calyx without cutting it off.

2. Put it in a freezer bag, remove the air well, and then put it in the freezer.

If you want to cut the okra and freeze it, wrap the cut okra in plastic wrap, divide it into portions, then place it in a freezer bag and place it in the freezer.

Freezing the food after dividing it into small portions is convenient if you only want to use a small amount later.

How to freeze and preserve after boiling

1. Rub the okra with a small amount of salt to remove the downy hairs, and remove the calyx without cutting it off.

2. Boil water in a pot, and once it boils, quickly boil the okra for 15 seconds.

3. Once it has cooled down, put it in a freezer bag, remove the air well, and then put it in the freezer.

If you want to cut the okra and freeze it, wrap the cut okra in plastic wrap, divide it into portions, then place it in a freezer bag and place it in the freezer.

Freezing the food after dividing it into small portions is convenient if you only want to use a small amount later.

Thawing method and frozen storage period

How to thaw frozen okra

Defrosting okra is very easy. Defrost it naturally at room temperature, or if you are in a hurry, heat it in the microwave.

Storage period of frozen okra

If you freeze okra, it can be stored for about a month.

Boiled food will last a little longer.

However, be careful not to overcrowd food in the freezer, as this will not allow enough cold air to circulate, resulting in poor freezing conditions and frost formation or freezer burn.

Click here if you are interested in other ways to freeze vegetables.

>> 3 points to keep in mind when preserving vegetables

A nutritionist explains! About the nutrition of okra

okra nutrition
Okra is a green and yellow vegetable, and is rich in beta-carotene at 670μg/100g.
It is also rich in potassium and calcium, which helps prevent high blood pressure and strengthens bones.

Sticky component of okra
When you cut okra, the strings will pull and become sticky.
Contains pectin, galactan, alaban, etc.
This ingredient is a water-soluble dietary fiber that has intestinal regulation effects, eliminates cholesterol, prevents constipation, and prevents colon cancer.
Also, the finer the chopping, the stronger the stickiness.
When boiling, the water-soluble ingredients dissolve into the water, so it's best to boil them whole and then chop them finely.

Okra can be eaten raw
Most people eat okra after boiling it briefly, but it can also be eaten raw.
When eating raw okra, you may be concerned about the hair on the surface of the okra.
In that case, if you wash the okra with water and then rub it with salt, the downy hair will come off and the texture will no longer be bothersome.
Please note that large okra will become hard and the downy hair will become more prickly, so we recommend using small okra.

Points to consider when choosing okra
1.Dark color and bright green
2. Those with downy hair remaining and not discolored brown
3. Small, soft and elastic items

Nutritionist Ruri

Obtained nutritionist qualifications from Toita Women's Junior College and graduated from the same university. After graduating from Kyorin University, she also obtained a qualification as a food hygiene manager. Currently at DayBreak Co., Ltd., she oversees various food freezing research and writing informative content about food. Her hobbies are traveling and hula dancing.

5 easy recipes using frozen okra

Okra boiled tofu

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍オクラ　2本
・冷凍ミックスベジタブル　少々
・豆腐　2丁
・醤油　少々

<How to make>
1) Thaw the frozen okra and mixed vegetables by heating them in the microwave.

2) While the okra is still warm, cut it into desired sizes.

3) Add soy sauce to okra and mixed vegetables and mix.

4) Arrange the tofu heated in the microwave on a plate, top with okra and mixed vegetables, and it's done.

The key is to add mixed vegetables to enhance the color.

bacon wrapped okra

Source: http://cookpad.com/recipe/3996440

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍オクラ　8本
・ベーコン　8枚

<How to make>
1) Defrost the frozen okra either naturally or by heating it in the microwave.

2) While the okra is still warm, cut it in half and wrap it in bacon.

3) Fry in a frying pan until browned, then place on a plate and it's done.

It's easy to make and is a great dish to have as a side dish or as an accompaniment to alcohol.

Double sticky okra and natto

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍オクラ　2本
・納豆　2パック

<How to make>
1) Thaw frozen okra by heating it in the microwave.

2) While the okra is still warm, cut it into desired sizes.

3) Mix okra and natto well and it's done.

The sticky natto and okra have a double effect and are very healthy.

Chinese-style stir-fried okra and bean sprouts

Source: http://cookpad.com/recipe/4190900

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍オクラ　8本
・もやし　1袋
・ハムやベーコン適量
・鶏ガラスープの素　小さじ1/2
・こしょう　少々
・塩　少々

<How to make>
1) Heat oil in a frying pan, add frozen okra, bean sprouts, ham and bacon and fry.

2) Season with chicken stock.

3) Adjust the taste with salt and pepper.

4) Arrange on a plate and it's done.

It's a simple and inexpensive dish. It's also perfect for lunch boxes.

Okra fried egg

☑材料（2人分）
・冷凍オクラ　2本
・卵　2個
・ケチャップ　適量

<How to make>

1) Defrost the frozen okra either naturally or by heating it in the microwave.

2) While the okra is still warm, cut it into desired sizes.

3) Add eggs, mix, put in a heat-resistant container, and heat in the microwave for 2 minutes.

3) Place on a plate and sprinkle with ketchup. Decorate with daikon radish and other decorations as you like, and it's done.

It's a quick and time-saving dish that can be completed just in the microwave. You don't even need a frying pan, so it's easy to make.

Conclusion

What did you think?

Okra's unique stickiness is good for your health and beauty, so it's a food that you want to eat constantly.

Okra is a secondary ingredient rather than a main ingredient, so many dishes using okra are very simple.

If you have leftover okra, you can freeze it and make it quickly.

Please take advantage of it.