OKRA or Gumbo

a West Indian plant of the Mallow family, largely cultivated in the southern states and in warm countries generally. Its mucilaginous pods are excellent in soup or stewed as a vegetable, separate or with tomatoes, etc. They were formerly dried in large quantities for consumption when fresh okra is unobtainable, by cutting into rings and hanging in the sun on long strings, but their use in that form has decreased in recent years, as the canned product is decidedly preferable. Okra seed, known as "ambrette," is much employed by perfumers and is occasionally roasted for use as a coffee substitute.