Sajne Data O Aloo Posto (drumstick & potato in poppy seed paste)

Sajne Data, as we call it in Bengali, is popularly known as "Drumstick" all over India. The reason they got the name may be because they do resemble the musical drumsticks or may be its other way around, no idea. 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 beneficial 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.

Pic. Courtesy : http://healthinveg.blogspot.in/2010/09/health-benefits-of-drumstick.html

I was 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. Its 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."  I'm posting today a popular delicacy with drumstick, which is paired with potato and cooked in famous poppy seed paste, we call it, "Sajne Data O Aloo Posto" (drumstick & potato in poppy seed paste), it's just a simple pleasure and comfort food............

You Need :

Drumstick : few sticks

Potato : 1 or 2

Poppy seed : 2 tblsp.(tablespoon)

Turmeric powder : 2 tsp.

Green chilli: 2 or red chilli powder : 1-2 tsp.

Salt to taste

Oil : 2 tblsp.

How To :

• Peeling drumstick is an art. You should know how to peel drumsticks, before you think of cooking it. Cut one edge of the drumstick at least ½ inch from the side. Then with sharp knife peel the hard skin little by little from all sides. When all the hard skins are out, then cut about 2 inch size pieces.
• Cut the potatoes in medium size. Make a paste of poppy seed and green chillies in dry grinder(coffee grinder). If you can't tolerate green chillies, use little red chilli powder. Add 3 tblsp. water and mix with the paste and keep aside.
• 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. 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.