Drumsticks (Moringa) – The fruit of the drumstick tree

Drumstick is a well-known vegetable, cultivated in several regions of India and Asia. You may also find drumstick trees in several houses. I have a tree in my backyard. Drumstick is one of the most nutrient-dense plants with a high therapeutic value. Drumstick is popular, mostly because of its gentle and sensitive pods. In Indian cuisine, the drumstick is a highly well-known vegetable, especially in southern India.

Drumstick is probably the only plant whose every part is nutrient-packed. All the parts including leaves, pods, and flowers are used for many medicinal practices.

According to Ayurveda, drumsticks have a pungent, bitter and slightly sweetish taste. They are hot in potency, dry, light to digest, improve taste, have antioxidant and anti-bacterial properties and have alkaline properties.

Drumsticks pod Benefits

Helps fight cold and flu.
Helps boost immunity.
Helps improve eye vision.
Help build strong bones and increases bone density.
Protects from infection because of its antibacterial qualities.
Helps to improve the glow and shine of face skin.
Helps to improve digestion issues.
Help reduce fatigue and improve energy levels.
Helps increase milk production for lactating mothers.
Helps increase sperm count.

Drumsticks pod Uses

  1. The tender drumstick fruits are used to prepare curries. It is an integral ingredient of South-Indian dishes, especially Sambhar. The drumstick pods are also used in a variety of dishes in many other cultures.
  2. The drumstick pods can be steamed or boiled until semi-soft and eaten directly without any extra preparations.
  3. The fleshy parts of green pods are used in many kinds of dal, kormas and curries.
  4. The seeds are taken out from the mature drumstick pods and are eaten like peas or even roasted like nuts.
  5. Green pods are also used to prepare soup, juices or added to dals to enhance flavour.

Drumstick Vegetable Nutrition Facts

Drumstick pods provide a variety of vitamins and minerals:
1 cup (100gms pods raw), contains 37 calories, 8.5 gm of carbohydrate, 2.1 gms of protein, 0.2 gms of fat, 3.2 gms of dietary fiber and 88.2 gms of water.

The drumstick pod is a rich source of vitamin A, B, C, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, thiamine, calcium, potassium, sodium, iron, magnesium, and Phosphorus

To conclude, the drumstick fruit does not have many side effects. Eating in moderation is the key. Drumstick is a highly nutritional superfood that should be included by all age groups in their daily diets on a regular basis.

Drumstick and gram flour vegetable

Ingredients:

  • 5 drumsticks cut into 4inch pieces
  • 2Tbs gram flour (Besan)
  • ¼ tsp asafoetida (hing)
  • ¼ tsp mustard seeds (rai)
  • ¼ tsp cumin seeds (jeera)
  • ½ tsp coriander seed powder (dhania)
  • ½ -1tsp red chili powder (Lal Mirch)
  • ¼ – ½ tsp sugar
  • 1 Tbs oil
  • 1-2 Tbs coriander finely chopped
  • Salt to taste

Method:

  • In a bowl take water, add the chopped drumsticks with 2 pinches of salt and boil them. Remove the water in a cup and keep the boiled drumsticks aside.
  • Take a pan, add oil, on heating, add asafoetida, mustard seeds let them crackle then add cumin seeds.
  • Add gram flour and roast it on low flame till it becomes pink.
  • Add coriander seed powder, chili powder, and the boiled drumsticks and mix well.
  • Add salt and sugar and sprinkle the water which was kept in the cup and mix well but genteelly.
  • Cover the pan with a lid and on a low flame let the drumsticks cook for 5 to 7 minutes.
  • Remove it in a bowl and garnish with coriander.
  • Serve hot.

This is one of my favorite drumstick recipes can be had as a side dish. Try it and let me know if you liked it.