Saturday, July 9, 2011

Is this Texas or Okra-Homa?

The state of Texas recently executed convicted killer Humberto Leal Garcia, who ordered a last meal of fried chicken, tacos, fried okra, pico de gallo, and two Cokes.  While researching his case, I discovered that several other Texas inmates have also asked for okra in their final meals recently.  What's the deal with this?  Most inmates want food they haven't had in a long time (assuming their state allows it, which Texas doesn't---you can only ask for food that's available in the kitchen), or, at the very least, they throw caution to the wind and order every unhealthy, high-calorie, sugar-packed item on the menu.  The last meal is a time to gorge on triple cheeseburgers, and doughnuts, and French fries, and ice cream, not healthy green vegetables.  And okra isn't even one of those sexy vegetables like grilled eggplant, or butternut squash, or sleek stalks of asparagus drizzled with Hollandaise sauce.  So do the death row inmates in Texas know something I don't?  Do the local strains of okra contain pain-numbing properties?  Can a sturdy okra pod be fashioned into a makeshift key that opens cell doors?  Denizens of the fine state of Texas, I eagerly await your replies!

1 comment:

  1. I came here looking for a state-by-state breakdown on last meal laws--didn't find it, but it'd be a great, and appropriate, thing to put on your blog here.

    As to okra: it is the best fried veggie ever. You wouldn't know it from looking at the slimy, unappetizing raw form of the vegetable. Personally, I can't see any use for okra other than frying. Just add a very simple batter, and drop it in some hot lard in a pan, and it releases the most wonderful aroma you can imagine. The end product is slightly bitter, very vegetal, and all-round delicious. By the way, I think asparagus, cut into small pieces, and fried the same way, is almost--but not quite--as good.

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