We had fried okra almost nightly at my grandmother’s house during the summer. It’s my mom’s idea of a green vegetable, how can you fault her? It is green, underneath the golden, deep-fried crust.

　　

Ingredients

serves 4 to 6

　　2 pounds small, firm okra

　　1/2 cup well-shaken buttermilk

　　1 large egg

　　Dash of hot sauce

　　1/2 cup yellow cornmeal

　　1/2 cup all-purpose flour

　　Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

　　Canola oil, for frying

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 200°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with a brown paper bag.

　　

Step 2

Rinse and drain the okra, trim the stem ends, and cut the pods crosswise into 1/2-inch rounds.

　　

Step 3

Place the buttermilk, egg, and hot sauce in a shallow bowl and whisk to combine. Combine the cornmeal, flour, and salt and pepper to taste in a separate shallow bowl and stir to mix.

　　

Step 4

Pour about 1/2 inch of canola oil into a large skillet and place over medium-high heat until sizzling hot (see Know-how, page 100). Working in batches, dip the okra into the buttermilk mixture, shake off any excess, and toss in the cornmeal mixture to coat. Separate the pieces to prevent clumping.

　　

Step 5

Carefully place the okra in the oil and fry, turning once or twice, until golden brown all over, 3 to 4 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried okra to the prepared baking sheet to drain. Place in the oven to keep warm and repeat the process with the remaining okra. Sprinkle with additional salt, if desired, and serve hot.

　　Reprinted with permission from Sara Foster's Southern Kitchen: Soulful, Traditional, Seasonal by Sara Foster. Copyright © 2011 by Sara Foster. Published by Random House. All Rights Reserved.Sara Foster is the owner of Foster's Market, the acclaimed gourmet take-out store/cafés in Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the author of several cookbooks including The Foster's Market Cookbook, winner of the Best Cookbook Award from the Southeast Booksellers Association. She has appeared numerous times on Martha Stewart Living Television and NBC's Today show. She has also been featured in magazines such as More, House Beautiful, and Southern Living, and is featured regularly in Bon Appétit.