The Bookworm

reading the best and weeding the rest

A REVIEW BY LEEANNA TATUM OF THE WHOLE OKRA BY CHRIS SMITH

The Whole Okra: A Seed to Stem Celebration written by Chris Smith is a wonderfully fun and informative ode to okra. Okay, so technically, it’s not an actual ode. There are no rhymes and it’s not meant to be sung, but it certainly sings the praises of this often overlooked and underestimated plant.

Smith’s celebration of okra covers everything from its history and migration around the world to its many uses beyond the culinary. You’ll surely learn something about this remarkable plant that you didn’t already know.

With humor and unabashed enthusiasm, Smith confronts okra’s poor reputation head on with an entire chapter “Embracing the S-Word” devoted to okra’s most reviled trait - slime!

But more than simply a defense of an underappreciated vegetable, this book explores uses for every part of the okra plant including the stem, seed, flower, pods, and - yes - the slime. An entertaining read, it’s also full of practical information on growing and using okra and includes recipes from many of the South’s renowned chefs.

Whether you dislike okra or are already a fan, you’ll enjoy getting introduced to it again through Smith’s unique perspective.