Okra, or bamya, is one of the most loved summer vegetables in Turkish home cooking, but fresh pods are fiddly to trim and hard to find all year. Burcu's okra comes preserved in a 550 g glass jar, so you can make the dish whenever the craving strikes without any preparation.
The classic way to use it is a tomato-based bamya stew: soften chopped onion in olive oil, add tomato paste or grated tomato, then the drained okra and a little water, and simmer gently for a short time. Finish with a squeeze of lemon and serve with rice or bulgur pilaf. You can also add it to meat stews, or serve it chilled with olive oil and lemon as a side dish.
Store the unopened jar in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. After opening, keep the remaining okra covered in the fridge and use it within a few days. Please check the label on your jar for the full ingredient and allergen information.