Drumstick is widely grown and available in tropical and sub tropical countries – as its name suggests it does look like a stick to beat a drum!!! The drumstick leaves are also used in cooking and can be cooked like spinach leaves. It is highly nutritious with high content of Beta carotene, Protein, Vitamin C, Iron and Potassium!!!
Ingredients to serve 6 people
1 -2 Long Drumstick
1 Lime size Tamarind (soaked in a cup of hot water)
2 Tbs Gingili Oil
1 Tsp Mustard Seeds
1 Tsp Fenugreek Seeds
¼ inch Piece Asafoetida or
½ Tsp Asafoetida Powder
¼ Tsp Turmeric Powder
2-3 Tbs Sambhar Powder
A Few Curry Leaves
Preparation
Soak the tamarind in hot water for about 10 minutes.
Extract the tamarind juice and keep aside
Chop the drumstick into 2-3 inch pieces
Heat the oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds
When the mustard seeds crackle, add the fenugreek seeds, dry black beans, curry leaves, turmeric powder and asafoetida.
Fry till the fenugreek seeds turn golden brown
Add the chopped bitter gourd and fry for 3-4 minutes
Pour in the extracted tamarind juice, sambhar powder, jaggery or brown sugar and the salt
Cook for 15 minutes on a medium flame till it reduces to half the quantity
The Kozhambu is now ready to be served. It tastes delicious with any lentil dishes and snacks like Pongal