This Drumstick Shrimp Curry features the immature pods of moringa oleifera. It is a must-try if you are curious about edible “drumsticks”.
Today, I am taking a short break from my posts on England with a shout out to the people at Easy Canvas Prints who contacted me some weeks back about having one of my pictures on canvas. I was thrilled! Having just returned from a road trip to South Dakota, I decided to use the picture of the Cathedral Rocks taken in Custer State Park seen in my post Ma Biren Goes West – Part I.
For the sake of comparison, I have included the picture here. The original picture was cropped to fit the dimensions of the canvas a little better.
Picture on Canvas
The picture below is the one on canvas. Take a look at the excellent transfer from the original to the canvas! The photo was all to scale with no distortion. The edges are mirrored and wrapped around the frame beautifully. Though the colors are a little cooler, you can hardly tell the difference. Orders can be done on-line and it took only a few minutes to upload my picture to their website. The delivery was fast and prompt with the canvas arriving in just a few days. I am really happy with the results and the canvas is currently up on the wall in the family room. 🙂
Cook and Share a Pot of Curry
And now, let us get on with today’s recipe. I enjoy spicy food and curry is one of my favorite kinds of spicy food. This Drumstick Shrimp Curry was prepared in support of my Singaporean friends in their “Cook and Share a Pot of Curry!” event this past Sunday, August 21, 2011.
Moringa Oleifera
Drumsticks are the immature green pods of the moringa oleifera tree. They are the most valued and widely used part of the tree, commonly consumed by the Indians in curries, sambars, kormas, and dals. The leaves, flowers, and roots are also edible.
The outer rind is tough and not eaten. The drumstick segments are cooked till soft so that it can be split opened easily. The flesh and wing seeds are then scrapped from the rind and eaten. They have a mild taste, almost like asparagus. The seeds are a little crunchy.
Drumsticks can be found in the frozen section of Indian grocery stores. Pre-cut and pre-packaged drumsticks are much cheaper and easier to find than fresh drumsticks.
It has been a while since I ate drumsticks. I could not resist bringing some fresh ones home from the Indian grocery store last weekend. I made a slightly tangy curry using curry powder and tamarind paste. This Drumstick Shrimp Curry is a must-try if you are curious and have never eaten “drumsticks”. It really is quite delicious.
Similar Tools Used in Making This Drumstick Shrimp Curry
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Dual-Handled Unglazed Cooking Pot with Lid (Glazed interior)
Wood Spatula Turner Set (Straight+Diagonal)
Cuisipro Stainless Steel Measuring Cup and Spoon Set
Drumstick Shrimp Curry
Ingredients
- 6 drumsticks (moringa oleifera)
- ½ lb shrimp (peeled and deveined) (225g)
- 2 tomatoes (cubed)
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 cloves garlic (minced)
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- ½ tsp mustard seeds
- 2 tbsp curry powder
- 1 tsp tamarind concentrate
- 1 cup water (240 ml)
- 2 tbsp vegetable oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Using a vegetable peeler, peel some of the tough skin off drumsticks. Cut off the ends and then cut drumsticks into 3-inch lengths.
- Heat vegetable oil in a medium sized pot. Fry onions, garlic, curry leaves, cumin, and mustard seeds in hot oil until fragrant and lightly browned, about 3 minutes.
- Add curry powder and continue to stir for another 2 minutes.
- Pour in water and allow it to come to a boil.
- Stir in tamarind paste and season with salt.
- Add drumsticks and tomatoes. When it comes back to a boil, reduce heat and allow it to simmer for 10 minutes.
- Finally, add shrimp and allow it to cook for another 3 minutes or until shrimps curl and turn pink.
- Remove and serve with steamed rice.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although the canvas was sent to me for free, I did not receive any monetary compensation for this write up. What was written are my personal thoughts and view. For full disclaimer, please click here.
Enjoy…..and have a wonderful day! 😎
tigerfish says
I started enjoying drumsticks when I first tried Indian-style curry. This must be delicious.
Magnificent travel scenery too 🙂
Biren says
I had almost forgotten what drumsticks taste like. Glad I found them. 🙂
5 Star Foodie says
drumsticks are an intriguing ingredient here, would love to try this curry, it sounds excellent!
Biren says
Drumsticks are not easily available. Glad that I spotted it it the Indian grocery store. It has a mild but sweet taste. Very good in curries.
The Mom Chef ~ Taking on Magazines One Recipe at a Time says
As per usual, you make some of the most unique, interesting and tasty-looking food I’ve ever seen. I’d never heard of drumsticks before and they look so fun. The rest of the dish is gorgeous.
Biren says
Thanks Christiane! Glad to have found some of the foods of my childhood. I was excited when I saw these drumsticks and had to bring some home. 🙂
Zoe says
I have not heard and taste drumsticks before. Very interesting dish.
Very nice picture…great memories are always priceless.
Biren says
Thanks Zoe! You are so right…great memories are indeed priceless! The canvas is beautiful!
Blackswan says
Wow! I’ve not seen these drumsticks before. When I first read it, I thought u were referring to chicken drums. hahaha! Thks for supporting the event!
Biren, if you’ve time, appreciate if you could vote for my son in Dulux Makeover Contest. Details is in the link below. U can also win yourself a Fuji Camera! Thks, dear!
Biren says
You are most welcomed Shirley! I also voted for your son! 🙂
anncoo says
This is interesting! I thought it is the chicken drums too…hahaa
Wish I can try some of these drumsticks 🙂
The picture looks magnificent. Love it!
Biren says
Most people think of chicken drumsticks when they see the word drumsticks.I was delighted to find these at the Inidan grocery store. Have not eaten it in ages.
edith says
Hi, if you have the time, do join me in this event.
http://preciousmoments66.blogspot.com/2011/08/remember-heritage-food-trail-that-i.html
Biren says
Hi Edith,! Thanks for stopping by. Will check out your event soon. 🙂
Tina (PinayInTexas) says
I haven’t tried using drumsticks in my curry…but I can remember how my mom would use them in Filipino vegetable dishes when I was a kid. They are called Malunggay fruit back home. 🙂
I love curry, especially seafood curry…and this dish of yours looks so perfect to me, Biren!
Belinda @zomppa says
Great photo! I love this dish – love almost anything in a clay pot.
elisabeth@foodandthriftfinds says
Biren-Such a comforting and delicious shrimp dish, with the drumsticks, that is so unique and unusual. I’ve never tried this, and there is no way we could possibly find it here, in S. Florida
unless I check the Asian market that sells Asian produce, as well!
Thank you for your kind word of caring. Getting better now, finally after almost one week I’m starting to be able to use the pinched nerve arm!
Have a wonderful week:D
denise @ quickies on the dinner table says
Hi Biren
First, thanks so much for supporting the Cook and Share a Pot of Curry Event. By all accounts, it was a resounding success, attested to by the fact that even all the way in MN, so far removed from Singapore, your lovely family was enjoying this gorgeous pot of curry!
I was amazed that you managed to get drumsticks in the US and MN no less!!! The curry looks so appetising, and I haven’t cooked or eaten drumsticks in ages, though they are so easily available here. I guess we do tend to take things for granted? 😉
I’ve only cooked drumsticks with lentils,mutton or fish in the past. Must try your recipe very soon, maybe this Friday, for my mum. She loves both prawns and drumsticks 🙂
The canvas is lovely and a wonderful memento – so much better than a picture in an album……. or in a blog post!
Biren says
I don’t see drumsticks that often and I was really surprised to find it actually. They cost a little more but I was willing to pay since I have not had it in ages. I was thinking of adding fish at first but decided to go with shrimps as it was easier to defrost. I am glad I did as it turned out really well.
The canvas is beautiful and I am really happy with it. 🙂
kitchen flavours says
I love drumstick, especially in chicken curry! I have not tried them in prawns curry YET!
How lovely, a canvas on your wall! A beautiful gift and a wonderful memory in big print! Have a lovely day, Biren!
DongXing says
Biren, I am intrigued! I have never heard, seen or eaten the drumstick before; embarassingly, not even when I lived in Malaysia. I shall have to keep an eye out for these when I next go to the indian shops. The curry looks so good and I am drooling at the screen and wanting to taste the curry on a cold summer day today…. Love the canvas to.
Biren says
You should try it at least once if you can find it. Maybe use just 3 to 4 sticks to start with. I used the home blend curry powder and the heat level was just right. 😉
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
Wow!!! I’ve never seen or heard drumsticks before. It looks like a long okra. You could get it in Asian market?? I am curious if my Asian store sells it. What a delicious curry. I didn’t know there was a curry event! I sure can eat a lot of this with rice… =D And I *just* ordered our first canvas photo with groupon last night. What’s the picture?? The wedding photo of us 6 years ago… I know, it’s a long time ago but we don’t have our wedding photo in the house! It’s about time. =P Thanks for telling me the quality is good. Can’t wait!
Biren says
Come to think of it, it does look like a long okra and it works pretty much the same in a curry too! This curry event is mainly a Singaporean event and since I was invited, I joined in as a show of support to my friends.
Wedding picture on canvas…very nice! I think you will be happy with the results. BTW, do we get to see it? 🙂
Victoria says
These drumsticks are new to me! I love learning about new ingredients. Your curry looks great 🙂
Julie M. says
That looks amazing Biren! I’ve never had drumsticks before, I’m thinking a trip to the Indian grocery store is definitely in my future. 🙂 I love your canvas as well!
Reeni says
I saw the drumsticks before in the market and always wondered what they were. Your curry looks wonderful Biren! And your canvas is beautiful!
Lisa H. says
Oh yes… I have not seen this in a very long time let alone eating …
Nice with any curries or Dhal… yum
Shu han says
This drumstick curry keeps popping up when I surf around indian food blogs. I really must get down to trying this curious ingredient, because this looks fab!
Jeannie says
Once my good neighbor gave me a bowl of this curry and I ate them all by myself:D Yours looks so good!
kristy says
Oh, I didn’t know they called this as drumsticks! You can find the trees almost everywhere over here and the Indians normally picked them for free. I was told these drumsticks are not to be eaten but to suck the juice out of it and then throw away the rest. I wonder did anyone swallow it before! haha….
Kristy
Reese@SeasonwithSpice says
Hi Biren – Am intrigued by drumsticks. Not sure if I have seen this in Malaysia since vegetables tend to go by different names here. You said you found it in an Indian grocery. Was it in St. Paul? We’d love to check out the grocery when we are back in MN.
Biren says
Hi Reese, thanks for visiting! The Malay word for drumsticks is kacang kalor. You may find it at the “kelinga bansan” or Chowrasta market in Penang. Over here, I bought these at India Spice House in Eden Prairie. Do contact me when you come back. 🙂
Reese@SeasonwithSpice says
Thanks so much Biren! Kacang kalor rings a bell. Definitely seen it in Indian curries. You caught me off guard with the name “Kelinga Bansan”. It took me 2 seconds to register:) Yes, I will let you know when we come back. Would be fun to meet up & have some Malaysian foods together in MN.
Meanwhile, I’ll come by roti n rice regularly.
Lyn says
At first I thot it was chicken drumsticks before I read your post! lol
This is the first time I see the drumsticks used in Indian curries and I don’t remember seeing anything like this whenever I had Indian curries outside, so I’m still very curious what exactly it is and how does it taste like. 😛
Anyway, I’ll google for it after this.
Tks for sharing this wonderful curry recipe! ;D
Quay Po Cooks says
I have seen this veg in the wet market but I did not buy them because I don’t know who to use it. Now I know. thanks. OOoo your pot of curry looks so yummy. I can imagine enjoying it with some roti canai. hehe
Magic of Spice says
As for the canvas prints, they do seem to come out beautifully! And as for your curry dish…love the flavors, although I do not eat meat I am always attracted to beautiful fragrant flavor, and you always provide 🙂
LeQuan says
How interesting! I’ve never heard of drumsticks before. Thank you for introducing me to them and how to eat them, Biren. I’m a fan of curry and a bigger fan when there’s shrimp involved. This dish looks delicious!