Okra

A vegetable popular in the Southern part of the U.S. Okra is used in gumbo both for flavor and as a thickener. It is also fried and served as a side dish or as part of a salad. Okra is best when purchased fresh but it is available canned and frozen. The pods were brought to the US by Ethiopian slaves.

As A Thickener Replacement:
Per 2 cups okra called for:
Use 1 tablespoon gumbo file powder
OR 2 Teaspoons cornstarch mixed with 2 tablespoons cold water
OR Use 2 teaspoons arrowroot mixed with 2 teaspoons water

As A Vegetable
To vary the flavor and texture, per 2 cups needed:
2 Cups asparagus
2 Cups broccoli florets

1 lb oka = 35 pods, 1 1/2 to 2 cups sliced
16oz canned = 1 3/4 cups chopped or sliced
1 lb - 1 1/2-2 cups sliced
10 oz frozen = 1 1/4 cups chopped/sliced