Okra

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a very popular vegetable in the American Deep South and is commonly used in dishes such as Louisiana Gumbo or simply as a fried side dish. They are also popular in soups and casseroles. Okra have a distinct “slime” inside them called mucilage that can be mitigated by cooking with acidic foods. India produces the most okra out of any country on earth where it is used in dishes such as bhindi (Hindi for okra) masala, and bharli bhindi - okra stuffed with peanuts and coconut and spices.