Drumstick Tree

Drumstick Tree - [Horseradish Tree, Malunggay (Philippines), Sajina (India), Moringa oleifera]]
Pods & Leaves

This fast growing tree from northern India has been planted worldwide because of it's many uses, only a few of which are as food. The name "Horseradish Tree" comes from the taste of the roots when ground, but they should not be used as a condiment because they contain serious toxins. The main food parts are the pods (particularly in India) which may be over 18 inches long, and young leaf shoots (particularly in the Philippines). Many parts of this tree also have medicinal properties (the seeds are supposed to be good for erectile disfunction).

Drumstick Pods
"Drumsticks" are very commonly used in Indian cuisine. Immigrants to the US are often quite surprised when they ask for "drumsticks" in the markets and are referred to the chicken section. These "drumsticks" can be found only in hard core Indian markets and are not reliabley available even here in Southern California.

Eating the pods can be problematic. When very young the whole pod is edible, but that's not the way they're found around here. With a fairly mature pod the shell remains very hard and woody even with long cooking. This is not a problem in India - they eat everyting with their fingers (why soup is almost unknown in India). Here you can treat them as you would Artichoke leaves, Cut into 3 to 4 inch lengths, boil 10 minutes or steam 15, split them open and scrape out the pulp and seeds by drawing across your teeth, then discard the woody shell. Taste is pleasant, a bit like green beans and zucchini but more complex.

Malunggay leaves
Leaves Malunggay leaves are used in the Philippines in great quantity and are one of the most nutritious vegetables known, high in calcium, protein, fiber, phosphorus, iron, beta-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin C and antioxidants. Many Filippinos hold strong childhood memories of malunggay leaves in soups - some with delight and some with horror.

Buying and Storing: Fresh leaves can occasionally be found in well stocked markets serving Philippine communities (in California surrounding any large medical center - without Filippino immigrants we would have no health system at all). They can be kept loosly bagged in the refrigerator for a few days at most. Flat bags of frozen leaves can always be found in the frozen vegetable section, generally labeled "Horseradish Leaves". Jars of brined leaves can be found in some other Asian markets. Dried powdered leaves are used in parts of India but I haven't noticed them in the Indian markets here.

Cooking: Fresh or frozen, malunggay leaves should be added to soups in the very last moments before serving or they tend to get slimy.