Okra, also called gumbo or lady fingers, is a plant grown for its fibrous pods full of round, white seeds, which, when picked young, are eaten as a vegetable. It was formerly considered a species of hibiscus.
The name 'okra' probably derives from one of the Niger-Congo group of languages (the name for okra in the Twi language is nkuruma). The term okra was in use in English by the late 18th century.
Today okra is popular in Africa, the Middle East, Greece, Turkey, India, the Caribbean, South America and the Southern U.S. It is not a very common vegetable in most European countries, except for Greece and parts of Turkey.
Due to increased interest in American regional foods, these bright green, tender pods have gained more respect as a vegetable in the U.S., aside from its use as a thickener.
| Celebrating okra around the world
Okrafest: Checota, Okla.,* September
Okra Festival: Burkeville, Ala., August
Okra Strut Festival: Irmo, S.C., September
Okra Festival: Bells, Tenn., July
Okra Festival: St. Martinville, La., October
Okra Festival: Izmir, Turkey
* Home of American Idol Carrie Underwood
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