Episode 468 · August 6, 2019
468: Chris Smith on Okra
Fascination with an underappreciated vegetable.
In this episode
His first introduction to okra did not go over well, but years later Chris Smith was given okra seeds as a gift and he felt responsible to do his best with them. This prompted him to research, learn, and experiment with many varieties and recipes. He learned a lot and he shares part of his journey becoming fascinated with this often discounted vegetable. Check out the recipe for pickled okra he shared with us as well.
Our Guest
Chris is a garden writer and homesteading consultant who serves on the board of The People’s Seed. When he is not okra-ing he can sometimes be found at Sow True Seed, an Asheville-based open-pollinated seed company. The Whole Okra: A Seed to Stem Celebration by Chelsea Green Publishing, has just been released and is available!
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- How he got introduced to okra
- Given okra seeds and feeling the responsibility to do well by them
- The difference between a good dish and a bad dish
- The okra plant is useful from seed to stem
- The Rosemond Wedding okra that he grows
- Seventy-six varieties that he grew on his farm in a study
- The highly productive plant and why timeliness of the harvest is important
- How to start appreciating the full potential of the entire plant
- What to do with the seeds
- Making artisanal oils from the okra seeds
- How to grow from seed
- The resilience nature of okra plants
- The okra itch he experienced from the okra spines
- The three main pod characteristics
- Dealing with the slime, and how some cultures like the slime
- Working at Sow True Seed, an open pollinated seed company
- A new organization called The People Seed
- Utopian Seed Project a non-profit seed company that grew from his okra experiments
As well as
His failure – trying to canoe 127 miles in one go, within 48 hours
His success – four major projects in one year and is still sane and married
His drive – working towards sustainable food systems that is resilient and regenerative
His advice – approach your own food system by being open minded, creative, and curious
Recipe submitted by Chris
Books written by Chris
The Whole Okra: A Seed to Stem Celebration
Chris’s Book recommendations
Drawdown: The Most Comprehensive Plan Ever Proposed to Reverse Global Warming, Edited by Paul Hawken
How to reach Chris
Websites: SowTrueSeed.com or TheUtopianSeedProject.org or BlueAndYellowMakes.com
Instagram: @BlueandYellowMakes
Special Offer
This contest period is closed. We say "Thank You" to Chris and Chelsea Green Publishing for this offer.
UrbanFarm.org/okra
Special thanks to our sponsor:gemplers.com/urbanfarm (use code URBANFARM01 to save!!)
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