For Donna and Arlin Connell, the best day of summer is the first day they find okra at the farmers market. That means it’s time to whip up a batch of Fried Okra Salad.
“We have this for lunch the very next day and never admit to anyone the two of us ate the whole thing in one sitting!” Donna said.
Indeed, she said, “We only make it once because it’s so full of calories!”
The Wichita couple are the winners of The Active Age’s Farmers Market Recipe Contest. They will receive a $25 gift certificate donated by The Spice Merchant.
Fried Okra Salad
1 lb. small, fresh okra, left whole
2 cups buttermilk
1 lb. bacon, chopped
½ cup cornmeal
½ cup four
1¾ teaspoons kosher salt, divided use
¾ teaspoon black pepper, divided use
Corn oil
1 small onion, coarsely chopped
¼ cup corn oil
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons honey
1½ tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon paprika
1 pound leaf lettuce
6 tomatoes, sliced
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine okra and buttermilk. Let stand for 20 minutes. Drain okra.
Cook chopped bacon in a large skillet over medium heat until crisp. Drain on paper towels. Reserve ¼ cup bacon drippings.
Combine cornmeal, flour, 1½ teaspoons salt and ½ teaspoon black pepper in a large zip-top plastic bag. Add okra a few pieces at a time, sealing and shaking to coat each batch.
Pour oil into a large, heavy skillet to a depth of ½ inch. Fry okra in batches in hot oil 2 minutes on each side or until golden. Drain well on paper towels.
In a blender, process the reserved drippings, remaining ¼ teaspoon salt, remaining ¼ teaspoon black pepper, onion, ¼ cup corn oil, red wine vinegar, honey, mustard and paprika until smooth, stopping once to scrape down the sides. Pour into a 1-cup glass measuring cup; cover with plastic wrap. Microwave dressing on high for 30-45 seconds or until thoroughly heated.
Line a large serving platter with lettuce; arrange tomatoes and okra on top. Sprinkle with bacon, drizzle with warm dressing and serve immediately.
Donate extra produce to Plant a Row for the Hungry
Plant a Row for the Hungry, now in its 24th year in Sedgwick County, is again encouraging gardeners to share surplus produce with those in need.
The program is a cooperative effort between the Sedgwick County Extension Master Gardener Volunteers, ICT Food Rescue, and a network of participating businesses that collect produce dropped off at their locations. Donations are then redistributed to local residents who are food insecure or don’t otherwise have access to fresh produce.
In 2023, the program received 6,267 pounds of donated produce. Donations will be accepted at:
·Augusta Ace Home Center – 316 W. 7th Ave, Augusta
·Botanica, The Wichita Gardens – 701 Amidon St.
·Brady Nursery – 11200 W. Kellogg
·Hillside Nursery – 2200 S. Hillside
·Hillside Feed & Seed – 1805 S. Hillside
·Johnson’s Garden Center – East, 6225 E. Shadybrook
·Johnson’s Garden Center – West, 2707 W. 13th St.
·Mr. Mc’s Market – 1901 E. 21st N.
·Valley Feed & Seed – 1903 S. Meridian
·Woodard Mercantile – Andover, 1313 E. US-54
·Woodard Mercantile – Maize, 4160 N. Maize Rd.
