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Easy Drumstick Curry Recipe with Desiccated Coconut

Santosh Allada
Drumstick curry with desiccated coconut is a traditional South Indian curry made with drumsticks, desiccated coconut, and a blend of spices. This flavorful curry is typically served with steamed rice, but it can also be enjoyed with roti or other Indian breads.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Course Curry, Side Dish
Cuisine Andhra, South Indian
Servings 3 people

Ingredients
  

  • 2 medium Drumsticks cut into even size pieces
  • 2-3 tbsp Oil
  • 1/2 tsp Mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tsp Cumin
  • 2 large Onion finely chopped
  • 1-2 tbsp Coconut dry or desiccated
  • 1/2 tbsp Ginger-garlic paste
  • 1/2 tsp Turmeric powder
  • 1-2 tsp Red chili powder
  • 1 tsp Coriander powder
  • 1/2 tsp Cumin powder
  • 1/2-1 tsp Garam masala powder
  • gooseberry size Tamarind
  • 1.5 cups Water
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tbsp Coriander leaves

Instructions
 

Pre-prep

  • Wash drumsticks and trin both ends of the drumsticks. Peel the drumsticks from one side and cut into 2 to 2 ½ inch pieces. Keep them aside.
  • Soak a gooseberry size tamarind in 1.5 cups of hot water. When it is soft, squeeze up and strain the juice. Discard the pulp.
  • Steps for Drumstick Curry
  • Heat oil in a kadai over medium flame. When hot, add mustard seeds and cumin. Let them crackle.
  • Add the chopped onions and saute until they turn pink.
  • Turn the flame to low and add the desiccated coconut or dry coconut (finely grated). Sautee for 1-2 minutes over low flame.
  • Add ginger-garlic paste and turmeric powder. Sautee for 1-2 minutes or until the raw smell of ginger-garlic goes away.
  • Add the drumstick pieces and saute a minute.
  • Add salt, red chili powder, coriander powder, and cumin powder. Fry for another minute for the raw smell from the dry spices to vanish.
  • Pour the tamarind water. Stir well. Taste test and add salt and spice of needed.
  • Cover the pan and cook on low flame for 10-15 minutes.
  • Open the lid and you will see oil separating on the sides of the pan. Check if the drumsticks are cooked.

Notes

Choose fresh and tender drumsticks.
Cut the drumsticks into even size pieces.
Roast the desiccated coconut to bring out the flavor of the dry coconut.
Cook the spices well.
Adjust the spices as per your spice preference.