Garden Melody is a quick and healthy recipe that uses up produce that typically yields far more than most people know what to do with. By the end of July, “free zucchini” signs litter the ends of driveways, a desperate attempt to offload a prolific producer. Okra may not be a vegetable many northerners are as familiar with, but are a space-saving, fun crop to grow. Once people learn how to cook and season it properly, avoiding the ‘sliminess’, okra becomes a well-loved addition to many recipes.
We’ve turned this side dish into a main dish, with the addition of potatoes and a meat such as smoked sausage. Play with the seasonings as well. Cumin is one of my favorites with okra, but I’ve seen people use Old Bay seasoning, paprika or chili powder. Skies the limit! In this picture you see, we’ve paired it with a classic summer meal – smoked meat, corn on the cob and wild rice. Try Garden Melody with our smoked chicken recipe!
Garden Melody
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium zucchini
- 1 cup sliced okra
- 1 small onion, sliced or chopped any variety will do
- 1/4-1/2 tsp salt, any kind
- 1/2 tsp cumin
- 1/4 tsp ground cayenne pepper optional
- 2-3 tbsp cornmeal
- 1 large fresh tomato, chopped into cubes
Instructions
- Prepare vegetables (slice/chop, etc.). Set tomatoes aside in a separate bowl.
- Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onions, zucchini and okra, salt, cumin and cayenne pepper (if using). Sauté, stirring frequently, until vegetables just become tender. About 10 minutes.
- Sprinkle cornmeal over the vegetables and continue to cook, stirring frequently. Add more oil to keep it from sticking if necessary. Cook about 5 minutes, or until cornmeal has browned slightly.
- Remove from heat. Add chopped tomatoes and gently combine. Add more salt to taste. Enjoy!
