Can you eat an overripe okra?
In this brief guide, we will answer the question “Can you eat an overripe okra?” and discuss how to tell if okra has gone bad. We will also discuss ways to properly store okra and discuss what happens if you eat spoiled or rotten okra.
Can you eat an overripe okra?
Yes, you can eat overripe okra but you have to make sure that it has no signs of spoilage before consuming so that you do not get sick. Overripe okra can be very tough with a chewy texture which may not be enjoyable to eat. You can cook it for a long time so that it may get softer and then you can eat it.
How to tell if okra has gone bad?
As explained above, spoiled okra is different from overripe okra. It is important to be able to tell them apart so that you can avoid getting sick. Here’s how you can tell if your okra has spoiled or is rotten:
- Look for any discolorations on the okra. If you see any discolored spots such as they are bruised, brown or black then it is a sign that the okra have gone bad.
- Wrinkly or discolored skin is also a sign of spoilage.
- Look for any growth of mold as well. Mold can appear as fuzzy gray or greenish growth or bluish or greenish spots. Such okra should be thrown out immediately.
- Look for any changes of the texture as well. Slimy or gooey texture indicates that the okra has gone bad.
- Give it a sniff test and see if it smells fine. An off odor or a bad smell is an indication that the okra has gone bad.
How to properly store okra?
Okra can be stored on the countertop or in the pantry at room temperature or you can store it in the fridge. Okra stored on the countertop should be kept away from heat, direct sunlight and moisture. Higher temperatures can make okra go bad very quickly so make sure that the temperature is not too high.
Okra should be stored inside the fridge for an extended shelf life. When storing okra in the fridge, place it inside a ziploc bag or an airtight container then store it in the fridge.
You can also store okra in the freezer to make it last for a couple of months. Place okra in a freezer safe bag prior to placing them in the freezer so that they do not get a freezer burn.
What happens if you eat spoiled or rotten okra?
Eating okra that has gone bad will give you food poisoning. Usually, it is easy to tell if okra has gone bad or not by looking at it, smelling it, or inspecting for mold. Sometimes, some bacteria does not alter the smell or texture of the product but it infact is present.
Pathogens start to grow on old food which when ingested, make you sick. Symptoms of food poisoning can be nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, and headache. It can be severe if you have fever and the diarrhea lasts for more than 3 days accompanied by dehydration.
When the symptoms are mild, it can be managed at home. The key is to eat bland and less fatty foods so as to prevent the stomach from getting irritated even more.
If your immunity is strong, you may even be able to fight off small amounts of bacteria ingested but immunocompromised patients stay at risk.
In severe cases, the doctors may prescribe antibiotics. Profuse vomiting can also lead to dehydration which may need to be corrected by IV fluids.
Find out how long does okra last here.
Other FAQs about Okra that you may be interested in.
How long do I cook frozen breaded okra in an air fryer?
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we answered the question “Can you eat an overripe okra?” and discussed how to tell if okra has gone bad. We also discussed ways to properly store okra and discussed what happens if you eat spoiled or rotten okra.
Citations
https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2093522/can-you-do-anything-with-overripe-okra
https://oureverydaylife.com/how-to-tell-if-okra-is-spoiled-12539788.html
