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I just talked to my Brother in California and he says current 16-18 year olds out there never heard of it and do not know what it is. Unbelievable. I have eaten that fried since about 1955. Of course now I use canola or grapeseed oil.
I've found it here in Pennsylvania. It's good stuff, but I don't think a lot of people around here are familiar with it.
I can remember going to a buffet-style restaurant and putting some of it on my plate. The person behind me asked, "What IS that?" When I informed her it was fried okra, she moved on to the next buffet station.
I don't think I've seen it out here in California. I've had it myself and it's good. BTW, I met a Kentuckian who didn't know what an avocado was and had to ask, "How do you eat it?"
We have had it here in Indiana for a long time. For the most part, it was a staple in the southern part of the state. Of course, a lot of Hoosiers consider anything south of US 40 to be in the south. I live south of US 40 and in the hills, so I must be southern, at least in "their eyes". Larry, send it up, and a big batch of collard greens too.
__________________ Located near Indianapolis, home of Col. Eli Lilly and the Eli Lilly Civil War Museum
Of course, a lot of Hoosiers consider anything south of US 40 to be in the south.
My recollection is that there were some Southern Indianians who came down and joined the Army of Tennessee and fought for the Confederacy.
Then, there were some Tennesseans, including some relatives of mine, who went North and joined the Union army. Fried okra would have been a staple of their diet, at least before leaving home.
"there were some Tennesseans, including some relatives of mine, who went North and joined the Union army. Fried okra would have been a staple of their diet, at least before leaving home"
One, a great grandfather of mine, deserted the Union army three times.......could be they didn't serve okra, and he just couldn't take that.
A tale I was told once (may be true) is that it was an African staple, the captured Africans secreting seeds in their clothing. It thrived in slave gardens and "transferred" slaves would similarly carry seeds with them.
I will believe fried, but it thrives today as a thickener in gumbo. Can't recall having seen it in grocery stores, but seeds are readily available. Never knowingly touched the stuff, except maybe in a gumbo, but then, I don't eat egg plant or any squash either.
Ole
__________________ I never knew a man who wished to be himself a slave. Consider if you know any good thing that no man desires for himself. A. Lincoln
Well, I know that you can find it grocery stores as far North as Topeka Kansas. It is good in lots of dishes and I like it. Of course I was raised in Southern Missouri. My father was a doctor so I had a several wonderfull black nannies who taught me the joy of southern cooking.
I was raised in Kansas, used to have fried OKRA all the time. When I was stationed at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune they had it in the messhall all the time. The commisasry here in San Diego has it some times. I am the only one that eats it though. Boiled pigs feet ain't bad either.
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Did The North Have Okra? I Know South Did.. 
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