My dad was from Arkansas and we grew up with an appreciation for okra. Fried okra. Steamed okra. Pickled okra. The slime doesn't bother me.
My kids love okra steamed, with butter and lemon juice. Or alfredo sauce. Or fried up with garlic and bacon grease.
And they love red okra the best. And why not? The plants and flowers are beautiful! The pods don't keep their color when cooked [they turn green again], but they're pretty in the garden and surely the red ones must taste better than the plain old green ones.
At least we think so.