Canning Okra

[Cag3db1rd]

I am hoping to pickle my okra this year for the first time in over a decade. My question is as my pods come off my plants, can I just bag them up in the freezer until I have enough to fill my canner?

 

[Wildwood]

I am hoping to pickle my okra this year for the first time in over a decade. My question is as my pods come off my plants, can I just bag them up in the freezer until I have enough to fill my canner?

I don't think so. Freezing changes the texture of fruits and vegetables and while you can cook them after freezing, I don't think they'd maintain that crisp texture you want for pickling. I'd try freezing a pod and then thawing to check the texture.

 

[summerthyme]

I don't think so. Freezing changes the texture of fruits and vegetables and while you can cook them after freezing, I don't think they'd maintain that crisp texture you want for pickling. I'd try freezing a pod and then thawing to check the texture.

I agree. Freezing breaks down cell structure... I doubt you'll be happy with the results.

You apparently can keep it in the fridge for 2-3 days... unwashed, dry, and in perforated plastic bags. I make my own perforated bags (for carrots, not okra) by stapling a stack of 6-10 gallon ziploc bags together and running them though the sewing machine, with a large (jeans) gauge needle and NO THREAD.

Maybe that would give you a chance to harvest enough for a batch?

Summerthyme

 

[moldy]

Nothing says your canner has to be full of the same thing, just needs to be processed roughly the same time. I waterbath things together, and especially pressure can things together. If I"m canning meat and don't have enough, I do a couple jars of beans as they both can for 90 minutes.

 

[Cag3db1rd]

Thank you. That was what I was afraid of. I am glad they are still sitting on my counter. I do have a small stockpot I can do 4 half-pints at a time. Maybe I'll do that.

 

[Wildwood]

Nothing says your canner has to be full of the same thing, just needs to be processed roughly the same time. I waterbath things together, and especially pressure can things together. If I"m canning meat and don't have enough, I do a couple jars of beans as they both can for 90 minutes.

I do the same with meats and beans.

 

[Hognutz]

My wife just leaves them on the counter in a cool area until she gets enough. But we got a lot of plants so that ususlly aint but a day or so..