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Produce Briefs...
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Chinese okra is an elongated gourd with dark green skin, lined with evenly spaced ridged peaks, that taper at each end. They can be harvested when young, around 15 to 25 centimeters long, but average 30 to 40 centimeters in length and 5 to 7 centimeters wide. Chinese okra is tender; the bright white flesh has spongy texture and offers a silky, subtly sweet flavor when cooked. As it matures, the skin becomes tough and bitter and the flesh becomes fibrous and woody.
Seasons/Availability
Chinese okra is available year-round with a peak season in the summer months.
Current Facts
Chinese okra, also referred to as Angled Luffa, is not related to the small vegetables known as ‘okra’ in the United States. It is botanically classified as Luffa acutangula and is known in Southeast Asia as Sinkwa and Torai in India. The subtropical vine and member of the family Cucurbitaceae is related to squash, melons and cucumbers. There are two varieties of Luffa cultivated for culinary use, the other is a smooth-skinned variety L. aegyptiaca (or L. cylindrica). Chinese okra is prepared and eaten like other summer squash varieties.
Nutritional Value
Chinese okra is an excellent source of vitamin C and a good source of dietary fiber, calcium and vitamin A. The ridged gourd also contains iron and protein.
Applications
Chinese okra can be eaten raw when young and around 15 centimeters long and 3 centimeters thick. More mature fruits can be prepared much like zucchini. They are peeled and sliced or cut into bite-sized pieces for stir-fry, battering and deep frying, to add to fish soups, dahls, or curries. Chinese okra will soak up the flavors of whatever liquid it is prepared in. In India the gourd is used in sabzis, or cooked vegetable dishes, simmered in a spice-filled gravy along with peas, cauliflower and tomatoes. Add it to stews or other vegetable dishes. Pair with seafood, spicy chiles, tamarind, soy sauce, cilantro, eggs and potato. Store Chinese okra in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Both Chinese okra or Angled Luffa, and the smooth-skinned variety simply called Luffa, can be used to make sponges. To make Loofah sponges from the Chinese okra, growers leave the gourds on the vine for up to 2 months until they turn yellow or brown. The skin is peeled off to reveal the fibrous flesh which has dried and hardened, the seeds are shaken out and it is cut into pieces and left to further dry into the familiar-looking scrubber. Though, the infamous Loofah sponges sold in stores are more often made from the smooth-skinned variety.
Geography/History
Chinese okra is native to India where wild forms can still be found. They grow best below 500 meters in the humid tropics but will also grow in some sub-tropical areas like southern Florida and Southern California. The warm weather Chinese okra has a long harvest season, lasting up to 13 weeks, and will produce up to 20 fruits per plant. The long, vining plants are trellised allowing the fruits to grow straighter and to make harvesting easier. Un-trellised fruits will be more curved and twisted. Chinese okra may be spotted at Asian markets in the United States and markets throughout India and Southeast Asia and at farmer’s markets in Southern California.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Chinese Okra. One
is
easiest, three is harder.| Caribbean Pot |
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Curry Jingi |
| Half Indian Cook |
|
Turai |
| Mane Adige |
|
Dosas with Chinese Okra |
| The Jane Channel |
|
Fish Fillet Casserole with Loofah and Wood Ear |
| Half Indian Cook |
|
Turai Chutney |
Recently Shared
People have shared Chinese Okra using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Namaste Plaza
Near Milpitas, California, United StatesAbout 36 days ago, 2/27/20 
Pacific Supermarket
Pacific Supermarket - Westborough Blvd
Near South San Francisco, California, United States2228 Westborough Blvd South San Francisco CA 94080 650-583-1388 http://www.pacificsupermarket.com About 41 days ago, 2/22/20 
Arko Foods International
Arko Foods International
Near Glendale, California, United States1425 E Colorado Street Glendale CA 91205 818-242-5921 About 61 days ago, 2/02/20 
Golden Farms Market
Golden Farm Market
Near Glendale, California, United States1010 N Glendale Ave Glendale CA 91206 818-937-9739 About 62 days ago, 2/01/20 
Namaste Spiceland
Namaste Spiceland
Near Pasadena, California, United States270 N Hill Ave Pasadena CA 91106 626-345-5514 http://www.namastespicelandpasadena.com About 62 days ago, 2/01/20 
Wholesome Choice Market
Wholesome Choice Market - Culver Dr.
Near Irvine-Mesa, California, United States18040 Culver Drive Irvine CA 92612 949-551-4111 http://www.wholesumchoice.com About 70 days ago, 1/24/20 
Tumeric Express
Tumeric Express
Near Sun Lakes, Arizona, United States995 E Ocotillo Road Chandler AZ 85249 480-802-6879 About 87 days ago, 1/07/20 
Baiz Market Place
Baiz Market - 20th Street
Near Phoenix, Arizona, United States523 N 20th Street Phoenix AZ 85006 602-252-8996 About 87 days ago, 1/07/20 
Baiz Markets
Baiz Market - 27th Ave
Near Glendale, Arizona, United States8030 N 27th Ave Phoenix AZ 85051 602-603-1049 About 88 days ago, 1/06/20 
Super Indo Cinere depok
Near Ciputat, Banten, IndonesiaAbout 96 days ago, 12/29/19 Sharer's comments : oyong di superindo cinere depok 
Buford Highway Farmers Market
Buford HWY Farmers Market
Near Doraville, Georgia, United States5600 Buford HWY NE Doraville GA 30340 770-455-0770 About 223 days ago, 8/24/19 Sharer's comments : Chinese Okra at Buford Farmers Market 
Marina Food Market
Near Foster City, California, United StatesAbout 242 days ago, 8/05/19 
Bharat Bazaar
Near Union City, California, United StatesAbout 244 days ago, 8/03/19 
San Pablo International Supermarket
San Pablo Supermarket
Near San Pablo, California, United States2368 El Portal Drive San Pablo CA 94806 510-215-0888 www.shunfatsupermarket.com About 245 days ago, 8/02/19 
Seafood City
Near Vallejo, California, United StatesAbout 245 days ago, 8/02/19 
Mekong
Mekong Seafood Market, Inc.
Near Santa Rosa, California, United States206 Sebastopol Road Santa Rosa CA 95407 707-544-6201 About 255 days ago, 7/23/19 
Asian Food Mart
Asian Food Market
Near Santa Rosa, California, United States3080 Marlow Road Santa Rosa CA 95403 707-540-0499 About 255 days ago, 7/23/19 
Tekka Centre 竹脚中心
Tekka Wet Market
Near Singapore, Singapore665 Buffalo Rd. L1 Tekka Center Singapore 210666 About 265 days ago, 7/13/19 Sharer's comments : Chinese okra is fresh at Tekka Centre market.. 
Richmond New May Market
Richmond New May Wah Supermarket
Near San Francisco, California, United States707 Clement Street San Francisco CA 94118 415-221-9826 About 265 days ago, 7/13/19 
Fresh Choice Marketplace
Fresh Choice Marketplace - Katella Ave
Near Stanton, California, United States9922 Katella Ave. Anaheim CA 92804 714-539-9999 About 286 days ago, 6/22/19 Sharer's comments : Sin qua 
Wholesome Choice Market
Wholesome Choice Market - Culver Dr.
Near Irvine-Mesa, California, United States18040 Culver Drive Irvine CA 92612 949-551-4111 About 287 days ago, 6/21/19 
World Foods Supermarket
Near Lemon Grove, California, United StatesAbout 367 days ago, 4/02/19 
99 Ranch Market
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 385 days ago, 3/15/19 
Seafood City
Near Poway, California, United StatesAbout 399 days ago, 3/01/19 Sharer's comments : Chinese Okra spotted at Seafood City. 
Thuan Phat Supermarket
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 413 days ago, 2/15/19 Sharer's comments : Chinese Okra spotted at Thuan Phat Supermarket. 
Akshar Cash 'n' Carry
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 420 days ago, 2/08/19 Sharer's comments : Fresh! Leks produce Market at the Oldsmar Florida Flea Ma Near Safety Harbor, Florida, United States About 424 days ago, 2/04/19 Sharer's comments : Chinese Okra spotted at Leks produce Market at the Oldsmar Florida Flea Market. 
Hillcrest Farmers Market
Vang Farms
Near San Diego, California, United States, Fresno 559-776-4243 About 516 days ago, 11/04/18 Sharer's comments : Chinese Okra spotted at Hillcrest Farmers Market. 
Little Italy Farmers Market
Vang Farms
Near San Diego, California, United States, Fresno 559-776-4243 About 538 days ago, 10/13/18 Sharer's comments : Chinese Okra spotted at Little Italy Farmers Market. 
Virginia Park Farmer's Market
Fresno Evergreen
Near Santa Monica, California, United States559-930-0815 About 615 days ago, 7/28/18 Sharer's comments : Chinese Okra spotted at Virginia Park Farmer's Market. 1st time seeing this. 
Little Italy Mercato
Vang Farms
Near San Diego, California, United States, Fresno 559-776-4243 About 657 days ago, 6/16/18 Sharer's comments : Chinese Okra spotted at Little Italy Mercato. Unique find. Don't often see and open markets. 
Food Terminal
Near Chamblee, Georgia, United StatesAbout 694 days ago, 5/10/18 Sharer's comments : Chinese Okra spotted at Food Terminal. |
