Roasted Okra

So, since I grew up (and lived the majority of my life) in Colorado, I never really had a chance to eat Okra.  Truth be told, I think the only place you could even get it (in my hometown at least) was at the Bar-b-que Restaurant I happened to work at in high school. I wasn't too keen oin the idea of fried okra though...so I never tried it.  Plus most of the time it was on the buffet line and--let's face it--things are really never at their full potential in those lines.

Then, we moved to the south, and all that changed.  Okra was everywhere, from the grocery stores to farmers markets to just about every stinkin' restaurant.  So, I gave in and tried some once.  Then had to try it again, and just to be sure I gave it fair trial I had it a third, and forth, and...well....you get it.  I love fried okra!  Crazy huh?  Funny, thing is...I thought I just liked it because it was fried.  I was wrong!  I guess I like the taste of okra itself because when I bought some at the farmers market last weekend and roasted it...it was like a little bit of heaven in my mouth AND tasted almost the same as the fried kind.  Not slimy, not squishy...just perfect okra-ness! Yum!  I can't wait to get more this weekend in fact! :)

Super simple too....
Okra, green or purple
Olive Oil
Sea Salt
Coarse Pepper


Slice up okra into 3/8-1/2 inch pieces.  Toss with Olive Oil, Sea Salt and Coarse Pepper.  Roast (bake) in 425 degree oven for ~8 minutes turning halfway through.  Serve hot, but be careful because they are hot!  And yummy.  :)