Go Slimy ― 2010/07/01
I have been waiting for summer vegetables, particularly these two, okra and mulukhiya.
Both were introduced species in this country. Okra was introduced in the 19th century from the States (I don’t know what it was called then) so in the old days, okra was called “American Slime” , but now the original name ‘okra’ is commonly used.
The mulukhiya is, on the other hand, quite new to us. Not until the 1980s did we know what it was. Actually in my childhood mulukhiya didn’t exist on our table.
By the way, have you noticed these two veggies have something in common with each other? Yes, both of them are slimy when cut or sliced.
Although my mother was keen to make her children eat okra, I didn’t like, or rather, hated okra or other slimy food when I was younger. They looked all wired to me: why can vegetables get slimy without being rotten? But as I got older, I found myself preferring the slimness of them to crispness of more ‘childish’ vegetables, such as cucumber and lettuce. In fact, it took me nearly 40 years to develop this 'mature' taste.
Apart from these two, there are more slimy summer vegetables. We say that mucilage of them is good for you. I don’t know why, though. One thing I guess is that when you lost your appetite because of muggy summer weather, something covered in slime will easily slip down your throat giving you some nutrition to survive the unbearable hot and humid weather.
Today's Catch - 2010/07/01 ― 2010/07/01
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