
When in the south the first time I saw Okra was working in a hospital that served it out of a can to the patients.----YUCCCCCK all slimey and horrid.
My room mate was southern born and taught me how to cook okra with no slime.
Fried or steamed no slime. For a Yankee this was a delight, I never had turnip greens or collads before, mustard greens just lettice , dandi lion greens and spinech.
We had cabbage and brussel sprouts, asperagas and such but none of the southern greens.
Avacaedos were new to me as were artichokes and egg plant.
Come to think of it I didn't have Chinese, Mexican or even Pizza until I was over 20 years old. We Yankees were a meat and potato fans ---the tomatos was from the french side.