DRUMSTICK

                                                                                         
                                                      DRUMSTICK

ORIGIN

Originated in South West India, drumstick became a popular vegetable in South Indian states

HOW TO STORE
Drumstick may be stored, wrapped in paper or plastic bag, in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator for a day or two, but like most vegetables, the sooner they are consumed the better they will taste.

USES

The immature fruits are cooked and used in sambar or fried. The tender shoots are also eaten. Leaves, stems and roots have medicinal uses in ayurvedic and native systems for treatment of skin diseases, bronchitis and diabetes and also for lowering blood sugar levels

DRUMSTICK MASALA RECIPE

INGREDIENTS (measuring cup used, 1 cup = 250 ml)

grind to a smooth paste:

• 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
• 2 medium tomatoes, roughly chopped
• ½ inch ginger, chopped
• 2-3 garlic, chopped

other ingredients:

• 4 to 5 medium drumsticks
• 1 tsp cumin seeds/sabut jeera
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder/haldi
• ¼ tsp red chilli powder
• ¼ tsp punjabi garam masala or regular garam masala
• a pinch of asafoetida/hing
• 1 to 1.5 cups water
• 2 tbsp oil
• salt as required
• few coriander leaves for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS

1. rinse, peel and chop the drumsticks into 3 to 4 inches pieces long.

2. make a smooth paste without adding any water from the onions, tomatoes, ginger and garlic.

3. heat oil in a pan. crackle the cumin first. then add the ground paste.

4. be careful when adding the paste. it might splurge.

5. stir well and then add the turmeric, red chili powder and asafoetida.

6. saute stirring often till you see oil leaving the sides of the masala.

7. add the drumsticks and stir so that the masala coats them well.

8. pour water and season with salt. cover the pan and let the drumsticks cook till they become tender and well cooked. they should not break and become mushy.

9. lastly sprinkle garam masala and stir. garnish the drumstick masala with coriander leaves.

10.          serve drumstick masala with steamed rice or any khichdi.