Okra are bright green, slender pods that add versatility and nutrition to many dishes. 

Okra, also called okro, is a crispy green vegetable fruit used as soup thickener due to its viscid properties. It is widely eaten in all over Africa and also in India.

Okra is rich in vitamin C. They can be eaten raw, marinated in salads, deep fried or used in soups and stews.

Okra is often included in the diets of people who are trying to lose weight due to the fact that it is fat free and cholesterol free.

It is also high in fibre and antioxidants and contains potassium, vitamin C, calcium and folate.

The mucilaginous properties of okra make it a perfect alternative to starch for thickening soups and stews since it will add nutrients without adding extra kilojoules.