Succotash with Fried Okra

Matthew Raiford makes this succotash recipe with Sea Island Red Peas, an heirloom variety of black-eyed peas—they have the signature "eye" and a reddish-pink hue. While okra is often stirred into the succotash itself, Raiford likes to brown slices in hot oil to pile on top before serving.

The succotash with fried okra recipe in a cast iron skillet
Credit:

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Active Time:
30 mins
Soak Time:
8 hrs
Total Time:
1 hr 30 mins
Servings:
8
Ingredients for the succotash with fried okra recipe

Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

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Ingredients

  • 1 cup dried Sea Island Red Peas or black-eyed peas, picked over, soaked overnight

  • 2 tablespoons neutral oil, such as canola or avocado

  • 2 ½ cups okra, sliced 1/2-inch-thick on the bias

  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

  • 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

  • 1 cup finely diced sweet onion

  • 1 small red bell pepper, finely diced

  • 1 small orange bell pepper, finely diced

  • 1 cup corn kernels, thawed if frozen

  • 1 small tomato, diced

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ½ teaspoon ground pepper

Directions

  1. Drain peas and rinse. Place the peas in a large pot, cover with water and bring to a boil over high heat. Adjust heat to maintain a simmer and cook, covered, until tender, about 1 hour. Reserve 1 cup of the cooking liquid; drain the peas. Set aside.

    Black-eyed peas having soaked in water in a skillet, a serving spoon holding some peas up above the skillet

    Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

  2. Meanwhile, heat avocado (or canola) oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add okra and cook, turning as needed, until browned and tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm.

    Sliced okra getting pan fried

    Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

  3. Add butter and olive oil to the skillet. Add onion; cook, stirring frequently, until browned on the edges, about 3 minutes. Add bell peppers; cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are soft and browned, about 2 minutes. Add corn; cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add the reserved pea cooking liquid and tomato and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to maintain a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until the liquid has evaporated, about 5 minutes. Sir in the peas, salt and pepper; cook until the peas are heated through, about 2 minutes. Serve topped with the okra.

    Black-eyed peas mixed together with the succotash for the succotash with fried okra recipe

    Photographer: Fred Hardy, Food Stylist: Jennifer Wendorf

Originally appeared: EatingWell.com, August 2023

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

169 Calories
7g Fat
21g Carbs
6g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 8
Serving Size about 3/4 cup
Calories 169
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 21g 8%
Dietary Fiber 6g 21%
Total Sugars 5g
Protein 6g 12%
Total Fat 7g 9%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 4mg 1%
Vitamin A 985IU 20%
Vitamin C 35mg 39%
Vitamin E 1mg 4%
Folate 161mcg 40%
Vitamin K 13mcg 11%
Sodium 300mg 13%
Calcium 48mg 4%
Iron 2mg 11%
Magnesium 61mg 15%
Potassium 401mg 9%
Zinc 1mg 9%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

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