Aloo Sahjan: Potato Drumstick Curry

A Bihar-style potato drumstick curry (aloo sahjan), in which the fiery flavors of mustard and garlic giving company to drumstick.

Drumstick is not as well-recognized a vegetable as its counterpart in this recipe, so here’s an intro first. The name "drumstick" is a hat-tip to the vegetable’s cylindrical shape and stick-like firmness. Drumstick goes by the name moringa in other parts of the world (mentions of which haven been popping up in lists of trendy superfoods ahead of kale). Our superfood looks like the green bean’s big brother: about a foot long, with vertical ridges and bumps on the surface.

Tip: For cooking curries, pick drumstick with less pronounced bumps – these are younger and have softer seeds.

Drumstick a polarizing vegetable as far as I can gauge from reactions around me – some love it, others hate it. I am firmly in the drumstick-lover camp and, if you are trying this vegetable for the first time, wish to find you on my side too.

I must warn you though: eating drumstick curry will not show you off at your most elegant. The right way to eat curry-soaked drumstick is to pick it out of the curry, chew its insides and chuck the remains. This curry is most comfortably eaten with close family and friends, not at a formal party.

You Need:

• Potatoes – 2
• Drumstick (sahjan)* – 2
• Lime juice – 1 tablespoon
• Coriander powder – 1 teaspoon
• Cumin powder – 1/2 teaspoon
• Turmeric powder – 1/2 teaspoon
• Green chilies – 2 (more if you want it hotter)
• Garlic – 15 small cloves
• Mustard seeds – 2 heaped teaspoons
• Asafoetida – a pinch
• Mustard oil – 1/2 tablespoon

How To Make Aloo Sahjan:

1. Make mustard-garlic paste

In a grinder, put mustard seeds, garlic and green chilies.

Grind to paste.

While grinding, you may need to add a few teaspoons of water to help bind the paste – try to use as little water as you can manage with.

2. Prep the vegetables

Peel and slice the potatoes into wedges. Place them in water till the time comes to cook them – this helps prevent discoloration.

Scrape the tough skin of the drumsticks, cut into 2-inch pieces.

Heat 1/4 tablespoon of mustard oil in a non-stick pan. When the oil is hot, spread out the potato wedges and drumstick pieces on the pan.

Sauté on medium heat for 7-8 minutes or till the potatoes are 3/4th done. Keep tossing periodically for even cooking.

Take the potatoes and drumsticks out of the pan and keep aside.

3. Cook it all together

Heat mustard oil in a pan. When the oil is hot, set heat to low and add asafoetida powder and the mustard-garlic paste.

Stir the paste around and cook till the garlic takes on a toasted smell.

Add the dry spices: turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder.

Mix well. Add a teaspoon or two of water if you notice any charring happening.

Continue to cook for another five minutes, stirring regularly.

Add 3/4th cup of water to the pan with cooked spices, along with salt. Set heat to high and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, then add the sauteed potatoes and drumsticks to the curry.

Cover the pan and simmer the vegetables in the curry on low heat.

Cook covered for 5-6 minutes or till the vegetables are fully done. Turn off the heat. Stir in a tablespoon of lime juice. Let the pan stand covered for another 5-10 minutes – this helps the curry thicken and the vegetables absorb the mustard-garlic flavors.

Aloo sahjan (potato drumstick curry) is ready to eat.

Serve with chapatis or plain rice.

Meal below: kaddu rajma, aloo sahjan, chapatis.

Notes:

Like the taste of mustard in curries? Then you MUST try out these recipes!