It seems as if I was in a curry craze, I have an endless stream of ideas these days for different type of smooth Indian curries. There are a lot of curry variations out there which I haven’t tasted yet and there are some few unique ones which I have chosen to post here. Today I introduce you, to my not so pungent Drumstick Cashew nut curry. Again this is a dish perfect for those who have just started to enjoy Indian food or for those who like it less chili spice but more smooth with a new flavour dimension.
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Drumstick is a vegetable commonly known in South Asia. Actually it is seen as a fruit since it is growing on trees but the use of the slender long “veggie” is for savory dishes such as curries. I personally haven’t seen a drumstick tree before, I heard that the leaves and bark had ayurvedic medicinal properties. I can’t confirm though… The taste of Drumsticks can be compared to Asparagus, which is my kind of vegetable flavor. Unsurprisingly the vegetable as the rest of the tree harbors multiple health benefits when consumed. Research was able to prove a good amount of Vitamin C, Phosphorus and Calcium plus it has antibacterial properties. Eating the vegetable can only be good for your organism!
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The only thing with Drumsticks is the inconvenience it brings you when eating it. The first time I had it, my husband thought it funny not to explain me on how to eat it correctly. You see, the inside is nice soft and after boiling the cut pieces, they tend to fall into quarters, which is good! The trouble is not the soft part of the vegetable but the skin which is hard and full of strings. So my first bite involved of a chewing process of the drumstick skin with my husband watching me and laughing. lol Even if you try to peel the Veggie you ll face the same issue. How to eat it then? In India everyone eats with the hands so it isn’t a issue but as a westerner it might seem complicated and irrelevant, but to eat the drumstick you ll have to scrape off the eatable flesh with your teeth and throw out the skin. If any of you have a better solution on how to eat this vegetable please don’t hesitate to share it with us here!
My drumstick Cashew curry was based on a recipe from Plantain leaf, a food blog I have been following for some time. Over there it’s called Munakkaya jeedipappu masala Kura, which is Hindi for Drumstick in cashew nut gravy. I have modified the recipe a lots! I made it soo many times and every time a bit different that I ended up with a totally changed drumstick curry. I gave it a Goan coastal twist too! My Indian readers might think its a bastardization of their beloved curry, but that’s how food evolution works! I can tell you that my husband’s family loved it and were surprised by the flavors (and that means something) or I could tell you too that my oh so picky husband finished more then a plate exclaiming that he just fell in love. The best way for you to figure out is to try it yourself and then let us know how you liked it! 😉
- 2 Tablespoons Coconut Oil
- 100 grams Cashew nuts
- 1 dried Kashmiri red chilli (or other red dried chilli)
- ½ Teaspoons Cumin Seeds
- 1 Teaspoons Coriander Seeds
- 1 Teaspoons Ginger Garlic Paste
- 4 Drumsticks
- 1 Tanlespoons Olive Oil
- ½ Teaspoons Mustard seeds
- 1 medium Onion - chopped
- ½ Teaspoons Turmeric powder
- ½ Teaspoons Chilli Powder
- pinch Salt
- pinch Pepper
- 5 small fresh Curry leaves
- 1½ Tablespoons Coconut Vinegar
- 1 cup Water
- Start by washing the Drumstick vegetables well and after that peel them as shown with a potato peeler.
- Remove the end of each side and cut the Drumsticks in 4 inch long bits. Keep a pot with water ready and boil the Drumstick pieces for 10 minutes or until they fall a bit apart. Strain and keep aside.
- While the vegetable is boiling prepare the paste. Throw all the paste ingredients into a blender with a bit of water to create a smooth not too liquidy paste. Keep aside.
- Add little Olive oil and the mustard seeds to the pot and allow them to pop up.
- Include the chopped Onion and fry till translucent. Throw in all the paste with the water and stir well on slow heat.
- Now add the turmeric, chilli powder and the salt, pepper and curry leaves. Let it cook on slow heat for 5 minutes.
- After that include the Vinegar and the cooked Drumsticks, stir well and bring it to a quick boil.
- Serve it hot!
You may want to combine this curry with some rice or with Indian flat bread, such as Chapatis.
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hm, i love creamy curries with cashews – just wondering, could you replace the drumsticks with asparagus? it would be interesting to try them but i’m not sure you can get them here…
I am sure u could exchange them with Aspargus, it should be interessting too! I am encouraging u to try it out! =) Thats the spirit I want here! 😉
Great idea to use drumsticks instead of just the chicken breast. This dish looks great!
there is no chicken involved in this dish, u must have confused it. 😉
The curry paste you made here is just amazing. I am just imagining the taste of the cashews and all those spices-yum! Not sure I can find the drumstick veggie, so I am glad you advised that it is like asparagus-I can easily find that. I also like that it is not heavy with spices-sometimes curry dishes are pretty heavy handed with spice so it can be over powering. Great post!
I have the same issues with curries at time, they throw in toooooo much chilli and coriander. Too many spices might not be that good either for a person whos not used to it, so my drumstick cashew curry will do the deal! 😉 and yes please if u cant find drummssticks go for the aspargus. (havent tried it but I feel it should work out well too)
I can almost smell your curry. It looks so good and such a great meal for a cold, wet night. Just delicious and I love curry with cashews. xx
I love the idea to include cashews in a curry (they are my favourite nuts in savoury dishes). Drumsticks look very intriguing, but I am almost sure I couldn’t buy them here. If I do find them I will remember your warning and never cook them when I have guests 😉
this sounds delicious Helene. SO full of flavor!
Naturally, I thought you were speaking of chicken drumsticks the minute I saw the title, but was so intrigued to see they were a vegetable called ‘drumsticks’. Oh, how I would love a taste of that cashew curry right now. Although I love peanut butter, my favorite nuts eaten whole are pistachios and cashews. It really looks wonderful, and I’ll have to look for those drumsticks.
That said, the green balls in my silly tribute to St. Pat’s Day are candied green cherries, mainly used in fruitcakes. I received them as part of a holiday gift basket, and finally found a use for them (jokingly, of course) LOL
haha, I knew that would happen with the drumsticks. lol
we r on the same wave Lisa, my favourite nuts r cashew and pistachios as wholes too.
I love learning new things about food. I wasn’t familiar with the vegetable or fruit drumstick, so thank you for introducing it to me! This sounds like a delicious curry with the cashews.
Yumm….
This looks fabulous!!!
My friends mom use to make this…. You revived some old memories for me with this post….
This is another new curry to me. It sounds really good. Even with the inconvenience of eating it 🙂
I am a huge fan of curries! I love how great spices are for your health. I’ve never tried a drumstick vegetable before but now I am really curious. Also, I didn’t know there was a such thing as coconut vinegar. Thanks for opening my mind to new things. Have a wonderful day 🙂
This sounds and looks amazing! I can’t get over the photo of the bright red flower, it’s gorgeous! You did an amazing job here, what a delicious curry, yum!
that is a very rich curry..yummy
How fascinating! I thought you meant chicken drumsticks but obviously not! I don’t think I’ve seen these here before but I’m going to be on the lookout now! 😀
I saw this funny plant in india. But i dont know what it is. Next time i will try it!
Your curry looks very good. I think i will try it with asparagus soon.
yum i love cashew curry! and i’ve never seen drumsticks before…i wouldn’t know where to get them in the us! is there a vegetable that could replace them in this curry, do you think?
we were brainstorming here earlier and I think so Aspargus would make the deal too instead of drumsticks. I havent tried it though ( cant get aspargus here) but drumsticks have quite a taste like aspargus.
You have piqued my curiosity now, I love learning about new vegetables. Too bad I don’t know where I could find the drumsticks…
I love this curry! Cashew curry is awesome 😀
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
I can’t ever get enough curry so I say, bring on the recipes! I’ve never heard of this fruit before but I’m definitely intrigued by it!
I saw the title and thought it was chicken curry. sheesh..
Really interesting and looks delicious!
Those veggies are intriguing. I bet your curry is delicious. I am a big fan of cashews.
Cheers,
Rosa
Thanks for sharing about drumsticks! To me, drumsticks are chicken drumsticks, so this is definitely something new to learn.
Interesting… my curry cravings tend to hit in the winter when the thermogenic properties of Indian spices warm my weary, cold bones ;-). You’re always introducing me to new things; I’ve not encountered drumstick – almost like a woodsier version of asparagus – very cool. Gorgeous photos Helene!
Oh how interesting, the drumstick looks like Nopalitos. Nopalitos are also known as Prickly Pear, they use them in many different Mexican dishes. I love them! This sounds wonderful, I will have to try it with asparagus sometime:-) Hugs, Terra
oh cool I d never heard of Nopalitos before, always nice to learn new ingredients knowledge. thank u! 😉
Love the wonderful flavours. The cashew nuts and drumsticks together sound like a match made in heaven! Bookmarking the recipe.
Hi Helene,
Love the use of cashew nuts in the dish. Looks rich and so flavorful.
I love drumsticks and actually enjoy getting messy while eating it. I like to add it to my lentils, really yum.
OMG you are making me drool here! I love everything in this dish!
I am always fascinated to learn about new ingredients from far-away places and your blog is a fountain of them. I was planning on making a similar curry this week but with lamb and now I really want it! Wonderful recipe, Helene!
Haha I initially thought that you were referring to ‘drumsticks’!
I’m looking for winter recipes and this one is perfect. Love that you described it as not too pungent either – means that I can carry a box of leftover curry to work without worrying that it’ll stink up the bus! 😀
I also thought you meant chicken drumsticks – this looks really good and perfect for the chilly weather.
Yummy! It’s difficult to find fresh drumstick in my neck of woods!
I’ve never heard of this veggie drumstick – first thought was chicken? but it’s not. 🙂 Thanks for introducing a new ingredient! I’m going to quiz my husband with this… hehehee.
Aha!! My neighbour has a tree of this. Now to distract their dogs ….
Looks delicious! I like the sound of the cashew paste … I can just imagine the creamy fragrance of the nut … oh yum!
A small correction: ‘Munakkaya jeedipappu kura’ is not Hindi. It is Telugu. One of the South Indian languages spoken in Andhra Pradesh. By the way your recipe is fantastic.
Thank you very much for bringing my attention towards this mistake.
Glad that you enjoyed the recipe. ^.^
Suguna is right. This commonly known as the moringa plant.It is highly nutritious(esp its leaves) that it can help resolve a number of nutrient deficiencies inexpensively.
It originated in the foothills of UP. Unfortunately it is not consumed much in North India. It gives a great flavour to sambhar(made with a lot of daal) and to avial. The pulp is close to the taste of asparagus.
Oh yes, I didn’t know that it wasn’t that common in the north. I so agree, the drumstick flesh tastes like asparagus and that’s why I guess I love it so much and others would enjoy it as well. Thanks for your comment and the useful info!