If ’health is wealth’ then ideally every home should have a murungakkai maram. To partake of a drumstick diet when it is in season is the best way to reap it’s rich and varied health benefits.If I had to chronicle the goodness of the offerings from this miracle tree,I wouldn’t know where to begin!
If ’health is wealth’ then ideally every home should have a murungakkai maram. To partake of a drumstick diet when it is in season is the best way to reap it’s rich and varied health benefits.If I had to chronicle the goodness of the offerings from this miracle tree,I wouldn’t know where to begin!
Did you know that it is listed as one of the top “super foods” in the world? Why else do you think that are markets are suddenly flooded with moringa powder supplements ?! I remember being aghast when a friend was all excited about a chocolate flavoured moringa protein shake ! Ugh ! “Do you even know what that is ?” ,was my immediate question. Unfortunately a lot of folk do not associate the name moringa with our everyday drumstick.With imported cosmetic brands cashing in on the moringa goodness, lotions, body washes and scrubs end up flying off the shelves.
It’s rather ironical don’t you think ? ; that people are willing to pay a great deal of money for the supplements instead of just plucking some leaves and drumsticks off a moringa tree nearby .I must confess that this is a trend that bothers me a great deal. On one hand we see health awareness on an upward swing while on the other hand,the drumstick tree is paid little attention to on the roadside where it quietly fights for survival.
It is drought resistant, fast growing and used in many countries to ward off malnutrition.It is listed as a mega superfood because it contains 9 essential amino acids (usually found in meat) ,Vitamins A, C,E, calcium ,iron ,antioxidants,polyphenols,flavonoids,glucosinolates,phenolic acids and protein. If we equate it to a multi-vitamin pill , 1 teaspoon of moringa leaf podi (powder) has all the same health advantages but in natural form.
I enjoy adding the cooked drumstick pulp and chopped drumstick leaves to cutlets.Why have boring potato patties when they can contain high energy boosters like moringa!
Don’t stop with adding this ingredient just to Indian cuisine,it is quite versatile and can be cooked in ‘non-desi’ ways too! Take a Spanish gazpacho for example, a chilled tomato based soup that’s perfect for hot weather.With summer just round the corner why not try my recipe for a chilled drumstick soup?! The nutrients are beneficial in combating blood pressure, cholesterol, ulcers, inflammations and a host of serious illnesses.
Whenever we have friends visiting from abroad during the drumstick season,I make sure they sample at least a few dishes made with this unique vegetable. They are so fascinated to learn the right way to eat by splitting open the hard outer skin to scrape the teeth against the soft pulp and bite on the crunchy seeds.It’s quite a culinary experience, one that we all take for granted!
Let’s make a conscious effort to celebrate this precious tree instead of allowing it to languish in forgotten by lanes. Be a part of a community that helps such species thrive which in turn will benefit not only human kind but also the environment. Look around your neighbourhood, the the moringa oleifera requires just a little bit of space.Even a grow bag on your balcony will do. Invest in wellness today. It’s an idea which will change the very thought process on how to perceive food.
Recipe for chilled drumstick soup
Drumstick- 8-9 sticks
Tomatoes-5
Garlic -1 clove
Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
Chilli powder- 1 tsp or to taste
Salt to taste
Extra virgin olive oil- 2Tbsp
Lemon juice- 1/2 lemon or more depending on taste
METHOD
Cook the drumstick in salt water, along with turmeric powder until soft.Peel and remove the pulp and seeds and set aside.Reserve the water.
De-seed and skin the tomatoes and set aside.
Add the tomato pulp,cooked drumstick and garlic with ¼ C of the cooking liquid to a mixie jar and blend on low heat until smooth.
Add salt, chilli powder,olive oil and lemon juice and beat again. (the colour and texture will change to a creamier consistency)
Check seasoning and adjust if necessary. Chill for 1 or 2 hours and serve cold with garnish of choice.
Before serving can top with roasted makhana or bits of fried garlic or toasted nuts/bread croutons.
Did you know that it is listed as one of the top “super foods” in the world? Why else do you think that are markets are suddenly flooded with moringa powder supplements ?! I remember being aghast when a friend was all excited about a chocolate flavoured moringa protein shake ! Ugh ! “Do you even know what that is ?” ,was my immediate question. Unfortunately a lot of folk do not associate the name moringa with our everyday drumstick.With imported cosmetic brands cashing in on the moringa goodness, lotions, body washes and scrubs end up flying off the shelves.
It’s rather ironical don’t you think ? ; that people are willing to pay a great deal of money for the supplements instead of just plucking some leaves and drumsticks off a moringa tree nearby .I must confess that this is a trend that bothers me a great deal. On one hand we see health awareness on an upward swing while on the other hand,the drumstick tree is paid little attention to on the roadside where it quietly fights for survival.
It is drought resistant, fast growing and used in many countries to ward off malnutrition.It is listed as a mega superfood because it contains 9 essential amino acids (usually found in meat) ,Vitamins A, C,E, calcium ,iron ,antioxidants,polyphenols,flavonoids,glucosinolates,phenolic acids and protein. If we equate it to a multi-vitamin pill , 1 teaspoon of moringa leaf podi (powder) has all the same health advantages but in natural form.
I enjoy adding the cooked drumstick pulp and chopped drumstick leaves to cutlets.Why have boring potato patties when they can contain high energy boosters like moringa!
Don’t stop with adding this ingredient just to Indian cuisine,it is quite versatile and can be cooked in ‘non-desi’ ways too! Take a Spanish gazpacho for example, a chilled tomato based soup that’s perfect for hot weather.With summer just round the corner why not try my recipe for a chilled drumstick soup?! The nutrients are beneficial in combating blood pressure, cholesterol, ulcers, inflammations and a host of serious illnesses.
Whenever we have friends visiting from abroad during the drumstick season,I make sure they sample at least a few dishes made with this unique vegetable. They are so fascinated to learn the right way to eat by splitting open the hard outer skin to scrape the teeth against the soft pulp and bite on the crunchy seeds.It’s quite a culinary experience, one that we all take for granted!
Let’s make a conscious effort to celebrate this precious tree instead of allowing it to languish in forgotten by lanes. Be a part of a community that helps such species thrive which in turn will benefit not only human kind but also the environment. Look around your neighbourhood, the the moringa oleifera requires just a little bit of space.Even a grow bag on your balcony will do. Invest in wellness today. It’s an idea which will change the very thought process on how to perceive food.
Recipe for chilled drumstick soup
Drumstick- 8-9 sticks
Tomatoes-5
Garlic -1 clove
Turmeric powder-1/2 tsp
Chilli powder- 1 tsp or to taste
Salt to taste
Extra virgin olive oil- 2Tbsp
Lemon juice- 1/2 lemon or more depending on taste
METHOD
Cook the drumstick in salt water, along with turmeric powder until soft.Peel and remove the pulp and seeds and set aside.Reserve the water.
De-seed and skin the tomatoes and set aside.
Add the tomato pulp,cooked drumstick and garlic with ¼ C of the cooking liquid to a mixie jar and blend on low heat until smooth.
Add salt, chilli powder,olive oil and lemon juice and beat again. (the colour and texture will change to a creamier consistency)
Check seasoning and adjust if necessary. Chill for 1 or 2 hours and serve cold with garnish of choice.
Before serving can top with roasted makhana or bits of fried garlic or toasted nuts/bread croutons.