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Summer is here and that means we can enjoy a bounty of veggies that are not just delicious, but also beneficial for your health. We are talking about drumsticks. We usually come across this versatile veggie while having sambar, but is that all where it can be used? The answer is NO! It’s all about how you use it to add flavour and texture to your curries.
Neha Pathania, Chief Dietitian, Paras Hospitals, Gurugram, tells HealthShots, “Like most South Indian dishes, you can add the goodness of drumsticks to mutton and chicken curries. Also, the next time you prepare any dal at home, add 2-3 drumsticks. These drumsticks add a light crunch to your dishes without spoiling their taste and flavor.”
Before we delve deep into the details, let’s first understand some benefits of drumsticks:
* It maintains blood sugar levels
* It helps in boosting immunity
* It improves bone density
* They are great for your gut
* It helps in blood purification
* They prevent respiratory disorder
* Boosts female sexual health
How can we use drumsticks in our food?
“Drumsticks and their leaves are both beneficial for you. They don’t lose their efficacy when dried or boiled. Both of them can be used in soups. While making a bowlful of your favourite soup, add the drumstick and moringa leaves and let the soup soak all the goodness, before taking them out. You can add both dried and fresh drumsticks,” says Pathania.
Celeb nutritionist Parul Malhotra Bahl also recommends certain ways in which this veggie can be a part of your diet:
1. Drumstick soup
Drumstick soup is an aromatic and nutritious delight that can comfort your tummy and boost energy levels. Along with other veggies, the drumstick bark and even moringa leaves can be added to the soup.
2. Drumstick curry
“Drumstick bark can be added to your regular curries. It will add a new flavour and will enhance the nutritional value of your dish. Enjoy it with roti, rice, or any millets of your choice,” says Bahl.
3. Drumstick sambar/toor dal
Adding drumstick to toor dal or sambar adds crunchiness and enhances both the flavour and nutrient content of the dal/sambar. Enjoy it with rice, dosa, or any millets of your choice.
4. Drumstick/moringa leaves saag
“Moringa leaves can be used to make dry saag, just like any other green leafy veggie. A basic tadka of garlic, cumin seeds, salt, and turmeric in a little mustard oil will do the magic,” shares Bahl.
5. Drumstick pickle
Just like carrots and radish sticks, drumstick barks can also be used to make pickles. With added spice, it can turn into a delicious and appetizing pickle.
6. Drumstick kebabs
“This is a delicious drumstick snack to satisfy your taste buds and mid-time hunger. In this recipe, drumstick pulp is mixed with fresh herbs and spices. You can pan-fry these drumstick kebabs in a little oil to get a crunchy texture and a scrumptious taste. Enjoy them with fresh coriander or mint chutney,” says Bahl.
7. Drumstick dosa
This is a south Indian recipe in which moringa leaves are blended with the regular dal and rice batter, and made into a dosa. You can eat it with a peanut or coconut chutney, accompanied by sambar.
8. Chicken/mutton drumstick curry
“Meat lovers will relish this mutton/chicken curry, which is cooked in combination with drumsticks. The meat becomes succulent and flavourful from all the slow simmering and absorbs the spices. The drumsticks give the taste buds a good tingle. This is a good curry to enjoy with rice or rotis,” concludes Bahl.
