Irmo's Okra Strut

Hats off to the good folks of Irmo, South Carolina, who celebrate the Okra Strut Sept. 28-29, complete with a fried okra eating contest, a giant green mascot, a parade, festival and street dance. Pity I won't be able to make it!

But if you make your way to Findlay Market, you should find some GORGEOUS fresh okra in some of the stalls outside (both green, and the lovely red okra, shown above, which mysteriously cooks up just like the green stuff - it turns green!). I bought some a couple of weekends ago, and my Chinese aunties cooked me up a wonderful dish of stir-fried okra and chicken. They parboiled the okra first. Yum! Eat it with white rice.

I can't tell you how gorgeous the okra is at Findlay Market. You have to see if for yourself!

In fact, here's a fried okra recipe from Findlay Market. I think frying takes away the health benefits of such a gorgeous veggie, but I'm sure it tastes awfully good.