Why is okra called "Lady Fingers?"
Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus or Abelmoschus bammia) might be the most common name in the U.S., however, in some English-speaking countries, it is also known as "Lady fingers" or "Ladies' fingers." The most obvious reason for this name is due to the shape of this edible, seed-bearing pod. The long, slender, and tapered ends of the okra pods make them similar in shape and size to the average ladies' fingers. However, this is not the case with the baby okra that's used in this recipe. Baby okra are approximately 1" to 1-1/2" in length compared to the average okra, which can be anywhere from 2" to 6" or bigger.