Southern vegetable (4)
I believe the answer is:
okra
'southern vegetable' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for okra that I've seen before include "Lady's fingers; gumbo; bhindi" , "Tropical plant with edible pods" , "old ladies' fingers" , "vegetable dish" , "Pod eaten in soups, stews etc" .)