Cultivar

Local

Major growing area

Kalpitiya, Jaffna, Monaragala, and Mahiyanganaya

ORIGINS

Traced back to the mythical foothills of the Himalayas

TASTE

Mild and bit bitter

AYURVEDA & MEDICINAL USES

Soup prepared using drumstick pods helps treat diseases of the liver and spleen. The dietary fibre in the pods also aids digestion. Drumstick seed soup is a known aphrodisiac and is used in Siddha Medicine to treat male impotency. This vegetable also plays a larger role in maintaining the good health of your bones, heart, skin, hair and internal organs.

NOTABLE FACTS

Due to its horseradish-like root, it is known as horseradish tree in the western world.

In Asia, the drumstick plant’s young leaves and tender seedpods are used extensively in local cuisines..

TRY-ME RECIPES

Although this delicious vegetable is an important ingredient in many dishes, the drumstick curry itself is on a league of its own. To prepare, cut the drumsticks into 2-inch pieces and clean. Deep fry the drumstick pieces, till they are light brown. Heat a little oil in a pan and sauté the fenugreek seeds, onions and curry leaves. Add the fried drumstick pieces and mix. Add the tamarind extract, non-fat milk or coconut milk and water, along with the curry powder and salt. Cover and cook on medium heat for 15 minutes. Add salt as needed and increase heat and cook for another 5 minutes. It’s that simple!