Sajne Data O Aloo Posto (Drumstick N Potato in poppy seed paste)

Sajne Data, in Bengali is popularly known as drumstick all over India. The reason they got the name may be they do resemble the musical drumstick. It is exceptionally nutritious vegetable tree. Considered one of the World's most useful trees, as almost every part of this tree can be used for food, or has some other benfinicial medicinal property.

The fruit of this tree, i.e. Drumsticks is widely used in Indian and other Asian countries. 

Drumsticks are green hard skinned, stick like vegetable. Even though, the skin looks hard from 

outside, surprisingly it is very soft and fleshy inside. It's a very easy to cook vegetable. The 

triangular pea sized seeds are surrounded by soft white flesh inside. If you want to get

the real taste of drumstick, you have to chew the sticks. It taste very sweet.

Drumstick & the seeds

I was just surprised when I saw this in Wiki, "The leaves are highly nutritious, being a significant source of beta-carotene, Vitamin C, protein, iron and potassium. The leaves are cooked and used like spinach. In addition to being used fresh as a substitute for spinach, its leaves are commonly dried and crushed into a powder, and used in soups and sauces. Murungakai as it is locally known in Tamil Nadu and Kerala is used in Siddha medicine. Its leaves are full of medicinal properties. The tree is a good source for calcium and phosphorus. In Siddha medicine, the drumstick seeds are used as a sexual virility drug for treating erectile dysfunction in men and also in women for prolonging sexual activity. Moringa leaves contain more Vitamin A than carrots, more calcium than milk, more iron than spinach, more Vitamin C than oranges, and more potassium than bananas." The flowers whih is known as "Sajne Ful" in Bengal, also cooked as a delicacy, especially early spring. Another popular delicacy with drumstick is "Sajne Data O Aloo Posto" (drumstick & potato in poppy seed paste), which I am going to share with you today........try & you won't regret it..It's just a simple pleasure............

Ingredients :

Drumstick : few sticks

Potato : 1 or 2

Poppy seeds : 2 tblsp.(tablespoon)

Turmeric powder : 2 tsp.

Green chilli/red chilli powder : 2

Salt to taste

Oil : 2 tblsp.

Method :

• Peeling drumstick is an art. You should know before you think of cooking drumstick. Cut one side of the drumstick at least ½ inch from the side. Then with sharp knife peel the skin little by little from all sides and make about 2 inch pieces.
• Cut the potatoes in medium size. Make a paste of poppy seeds and green chillies in dry grinder(coffee grinder). If you can't tolerate green chillies, use little red chilli powder.
• Heat oil in a pan. Now add potatoes and drumsticks on oil. Fry them for few minutes with a pinch of salt. Add turmeric powder and poppy seed paste. Pour 2 tblsp. Water and mix the paste well with the vegetables. Stir for 3-4 minutes.
• Then pour enough water to cook the veges. If you peel properly, drumstick cooks very quick. Just add enough water to cook the potatoes. Adjust the salt and when all moisture evaporates and veges are done, take it out of stove.
• You can make it dry or semi-thick gravy, as you like. In any form, it’s just delicious with hot plain rice....just simple pleasure of life

Tips : Do not overcook drumstick and don't stir too often, as drumstick can break very easily.