It’s almost the end of okra season in New Jersey. A popular vegetable grown throughout the South, the local season for the green pods runs from July through October. Whether you’re a long-time okra lover or looking to try something new, here are five restaurants in New Jersey where you can get your okra fix.
Olaide’s Kitchen, Parlin
At Olaide’s, a West African eatery in Parlin, you’ll find ila, or plain stewed okra. The vibrant dish is vegetarian at its core, but an array of proteins including chicken, turkey, goat and fish are all available to add to the stew.
Delta’s Restaurant, New Brunswick
Delta’s, a southern cuisine focused restaurant in New Brunswick, features okra in their hearty gumbo. In Delta’s version of the classic stew-like soup, okra accompanies peppers and onions alongside the gumbo’s main attractions of chicken, shrimp, and delightfully spicy andouille sausage.
Didi’s Kitchen, South Brunswick
If you’d prefer to enjoy okra in the comfort of your own home, try the okra masala from Didi’s Kitchen in South Brunswick Township. In addition to traditional catering, Didi’s offers individually portioned take-home meals. The vegetarian, okra-based dish has peppers, onions, tomatoes and is completed with masala, a blend of ground spices commonly used in South Asian cuisines.
Aarzu, Freehold
This modern Indian bistro in Freehold offers innovative twists to traditional dishes. For their take on okra, Aarzu offers achari bhindi, classically a tangy and spicy okra curry. Aarzu’s consists of stir-fried okra with bell peppers and an aromatic housemade spice blend.
Ruthie’s BBQ and Pizza, Montclair
This year, Ruthie’s in Montclair served up their first-ever okra crop they grew themselves. It appears on the menu corn-meal crusted and fried. The crisped okra is served with a side of remoulade, because who doesn’t love a dipping sauce.