For the crime of slime, okra has been exiled from many kitchens. And even while okra's sliminess is useful in certain dishes, like gumbo ... a simple yet effective vinegar soak.

Mucilage is a boon when using okra for a gumbo, as that slime acts as a thickening agent for the gumbo's broth, along with the gumbo's core flavor-building roux. The vinegar used for pickling ...