Step 1

Rinse and trim the okra. Turn on the cold water at the sink, and gently run the okra under it to wash away any dirt or debris on the surface. Pat it dry with a clean kitchen towel, and use a sharp knife to cut the stems down to ½-inch (13-mm).

Step 2

Place the okra in a large pot and cover it with water. Use a pot that's large enough to fit the okra so it doesn't occupy more than three-quarters of the capacity. Add enough cold water to the pot to just cover the okra.A 3-quart (2.8 l) pot is a good size for boiling the okra.

Step 3

Season the water with salt. Before you boil the water, it's important to season it to ensure that the boiled okra is as flavorful as possible. Adding the salt to the water allows the okra to absorb some of it as it boils. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon (6 g) of salt to the pot, and stir gently to ensure that it's evenly distributed.