Drumstick with Raw Mango...

I don't like drumsticks (though I love the 'thoran' or stir fry we make with drumstick leaves)! But my hubby can have this vegetable in any shape or form which is the only reason why you would see this in my kitchen pantry. Having said that I do like the fact that there is no need of any fancy recipes to cook drumsticks. Drumsticks have such a lovely flavour of their own. I guess people who love it wouldn't mind having it just steamed! It takes barely few minutes to get cooked which is again a good thing.

But is that all? Nope! From the root to the seed, almost every part of the drumstick tree has got some medicinal value! This vegetable looks so frail - the name drumstick is apt; you would be surprised at the numerous benefits it offers. Drumstick trees are a common sight in Kerala. You can see these tall slender trees, with the even thinner drumsticks drooping from the branches, in the back yards of most houses.  The drumsticks we use for cooking are the immature pods and are known for their nutrition content.  High in Vitamin C, iron and minerals, enhancing bone strength, curbing digestive disorders, purifying the bloodstream,  healing respiratory disorders are just few of the many benefits. An additional note to all the ladies - mixing drumstick juice with lemon juice and applying it on the face apparently makes your skin glowing along with treating pimples and blackheads :D

The below table from Lifestyle.iloveindia.com should give you a fair idea: read more of their article here.

Nutrients	Pods		Leaves
Basic Components
Protein	2.5 g		6.7 g
Carbohydrates	3.7 g		13.4 g
Water	86.9%		75.0%
Calorie	26		92
Fiber	4.8 g		0.9 g
Fat	0.1 g		1.7 g
Vitamins
Vitamin A	0.11 mg		6.8 mg
Vitamin B  (choline)	423 mg		423 mg
Vitamin B1 (thiamin)	0.05 mg		0.21 mg
Vitamin B2 (riboflavin)	0.07 mg	0.05 mg
Vitamin B3 (nicotinic acid)	0.2 mg	0.8 mg
Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)	120 mg	220 mg
Minerals
Calcium	30 mg	440 mg
Magnesium	24 mg	24 mg
Phosphorus	259 mg	259 mg
Potassium	110 mg			70 mg
Copper	3.1 mg			1.1 mg
Iron	5.3 mg			7 mg
Sulphur	137 mg			137 mg

This is a very easy recipe which I have adapted from my mom's recipe for drumstick and mango curry. Goes well with steamed rice and my hubby loves it. Do give it a try.

Drumstick and Raw Mango: Recipe

Ingredients:

•  Fresh drumsticks - 3 or 4
•  Raw green mango - 1 small, peeled, de-stoned and diced.
•  Shallots - 4 or 5 finely sliced or crushed in a mortar & pestle
•  Green chillies - 2 slit (add more if you like it spicier)
•  Turmeric powder - 1/4 tsp
•  Red chilli powder - 1/2 tsp
•  Salt to taste
•  Mustard seeds - 3/4 tsp
•  Curry leaves - one sprig
•  Dry red chilli - 3 to 4

Method:

1. Scrape the outer skin of the drumstick using a knife and wash well. Cut them into roughly 1" sizes. Further cut each piece into half lengthwise. 
2. In a pan, add the drumsticks pieces, raw mango, green chillies and the shallots. Add very little water - less than 1/4 cup; and mix in the salt, turmeric and red chilli powder. Cover the pan and cook till the drumsticks are cooked to your liking. The raw mango should also be mushy. (It doesn't take a lot of time so be sure to keep an eye on it and stir it. If you think it is sticking at the bottom, add a bit more water.)
3. Once the drumsticks are cooked, check the salt and adjust to taste.
4. Heat oil in a small pan and add the mustard seeds. When they start to splutter, add the dry red chilli and the curry leaves. Fry for few seconds and pour this over the cooked drumstick - mango mixture. Serve hot with steamed rice.

Linking this to my event Gimme GREEN!, Amy's Hot n Spicy Treat  and Kerala Kitchen Event - Feb 2012 hosted by Roshan's Cucina, #greenlove by My Twisted Recipes: