Sharing a very easy and basic recipe today – Goan drumstick bhaji (sautéed drumsticks). In this dish, drumstick veggie is cooked in a base consisting of sautéed onions-tomatoes, seasoned with turmeric and green chilli for spice and some freshly grated coconut for the sweet nuttiness.
Few ingredients are used in this drumstick bhaji, but there is absolutely no compromise on taste. The coconut adds a wonderful sweetness and texture to this simple dish. I love using coconut oil in dishes that also call for freshly grated coconut. It definitely takes the dish a notch up!
Drumstick bhaji makes an excellent side for any rice and dal (lentil curry) sorak, sambar or any other curry preparation. Drumsticks are one of my favorite veggies. Unfortunately, it’s not easy to find them where I live. The Indian store just has the frozen ones, so I make do with those.
A little info on drumsticks:-
- They are immature seed pods of the moringa tree. Moringa is a plant that is native to the sub-Himalayan as well as the tropics. All the parts of this tree i.e the leaves, bark, flowers, fruit, seeds, and root are used to make medicine.
- It is used to treat anemia; arthritis & joint pain (rheumatism), asthma, cancer, constipation, diabetes, diarrhea, and several other ailments
- Some people also use it as a nutritional supplement or tonic.
- Moringa is sometimes applied directly to the skin as a germ-killer or drying agent (astringent). It is also used topically for treating pockets of infection (abscesses), athlete’s foot, dandruff, gingivitis snakebites, warts, and wounds.
- Oil from moringa seeds is used in foods, perfume, and hair care products, and as a machine lubricant.
However, it’s unsafe to use the root, bark or flowers of moringa if you are pregnant. Chemicals in the root, bark, and flowers can make the uterus contract, and this might cause a miscarriage. I know this for a fact, as I was advised my mum in law to keep this in mind and skip having drumsticks during my pregnancy.
(Source- Webmd , click to read numerous more benefits of this amazing tree)
Table of Contents
STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE GOAN DRUMSTICK BHAJI
1.Heat oil on medium heat in a heavy bottom pan/skillet/kadai, add mustard seeds. Once it splutters, add onions, sauté until translucent (no need to brown them), you can add some salt to help the onions sweat quicker.
2.Next, add in the chopped tomatoes. Sauté until the tomatoes are tender.
3.Next, add in turmeric powder & green chilli, sauté for another minute.
4.Now add 1/2 cup water and the chopped drumstick pieces, salt to taste, mix it well. Cover and let it cook on low heat for about 15 minutes or until the drumsticks are tender.
5.Sprinkle grated coconut, give everything a good mix. Check for seasonings, adjust accordingly. Switch off the heat, serve hot.

HOW TO MAKE DRUMSTICK BHAJI?

Drumstick Bhaji Recipe | Goan Style Sautéed Drumsticks
Ingredients
Measuring cup used, 1 cup = 250 ml, 1 tsp = 5 ml
- 200 grams drumsticks, peel the outer layer and chop into 1 to 2-inch pieces
- 1 tbsp coconut oil/ vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium tomato, roughly chopped
- 1/4 tsp turmeric powder,
- 1 green chilli, slit lengthwise
- 3/4- 1 cup freshly grated coconut/desiccated coconut
- 1/2 cup water
- Salt, to taste
Instructions
- Heat oil on medium heat in a heavy bottom pan/skillet/kadai, add mustard seeds. Once it splutters, add onions, sauté until translucent (no need to brown them), you can add some salt to help the onions sweat quicker.
- Next, add in the chopped tomatoes. Sauté until the tomatoes are tender.
- Next, add in turmeric powder & green chilli, sauté for another minute.
- Now add 1/2 cup water and the chopped drumstick pieces, salt to taste, mix it well. Cover and let it cook on low heat for about 15 minutes or until the drumsticks are tender.
- Sprinkle grated coconut, give everything a good mix. Check for seasonings, adjust accordingly. Switch off the heat, serve hot.
I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to share your feedback with photos and suggestions to me at aromaticessence77@gmail.com
You can also follow me on :
Facebook @ Aromaticessence
Pinterest @ Aromatic Essence
Instagram @ aromatic_essence77
Thanks for stopping by!
Regards,
Freda









This is making me Drool Freda!! Awesome. <3
Glad you liked it <3
Sounds so good! Love the pics ?
Love drumsticks! The recipe sounds delicious. Nice share Freda.
Thanks Sumith 🙂
Lovely! I’m getting hungry and a long way till dinner time!
Glad you liked it 🙂
Simply awesome clicks
Some chapati, drumstick curry and is that dahl in the other bowl? That’s all I’d want and I’d be in heaven Freda 🙂 Beautifully done! I hope things are going well. ~hugs~
Thanks Loretta! Sorry for replying this late. Things are a bit crazy at my end. Mum in law left last week and hubby is touring. So yeah you can imagine 🙁
Love drumsticks bhaji and this is making me drool Freda! Fabulous photos as usual!
Thanks so much Sandhya 🙂