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Ingredient Spotlight: Drumstick Malunggay

2008_07_07-Malunggay.jpgWe saw this strange item being sold by a Filipino farmer at the Alemany Farmer's Market on Saturday. What is it?

 
 

It's called a drumstick malunggay and comes from the Moringa vegetable tree. It's also called the horseradish tree in some parts of the world, as the edible roots are grated and eaten, and have a taste similar to horseradish. Most of the tree, including the leaves, flowers, seed pods, and roots are edible. The tree is commonly found in Asia and Africa.

What we're seeing in the photo is a long seed pod from the flowers of the tree. The pods are cooked like green beans and the seeds are removed and roasted. It is said that the pods taste like asparagus. The pods can also be sliced up and fried like okra, and added to soups and curries. They're more commonly eaten in parts of Africa, India, and Thailand. This tree is also widely found in the Philippines, but the Filipinos traditionally eat the leaves rather than the pods.

Related:
Ingredient Spotlight: Kaffir Lime Leaves
Ingredient Spotlight: Kohlrabi
Ingredient Spotlight: Purslane

(Image: Kathryn Hill)

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Ingredients - Vegetables, drumstick malunggay

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Comments (7)

we had this tree in our yard in India. the leaves can be eaten but its kindof bitter (but that's when i was a child who hated greens) the drumstick is used in dals(lentils) and Samhbar. we chew the stick which is cut into 2-3 inch pieces and eat up the seeds and flesh. I am sure our family prefered the pods to the leaves. i also remember the tree giving out a glue like resin/sap which we used to use as glue for our craft projects.

posted by Storm on July 7th 2008 at 11:42am
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I had a tree in India, and now have one in my Florida backyard too! I usually use the pods cut into 3-inch sections in my dhal (lentils), it's delicious and very healthy for my kids. When cooked, you open the pod into sections and eat the flesh in a similar manner as getting the flesh from leaves of artichoke.

posted by Chirpie on July 7th 2008 at 1:50pm
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My mom loves this, she puts it in her dal also. I was never a big fan though

posted by Spycandy on July 7th 2008 at 1:56pm
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I think we called in "kalamungay", and the kids in the neighborhood would strip the trees in our area of leaves for their soup. Most likely Mama sent them out to collect. The plant is entirely useful and very nutritious.

posted by samaritan on July 7th 2008 at 4:24pm
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Had this for the first time recently. Mom was visiting and showed me how to prepare it. She remembered from the time when we lived in Africa. Real simple stew with just tomatoes, onions and olive oil.

posted by danze on July 8th 2008 at 7:25am
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We eat this vegetable at home in Indian dal and sambar dishes. It's supposed to be nutritious but it's unwieldy to eat, since you have to separate the soft inside flesh from the thick skin of the stalk as you're eating it. The stalk doesn't soften, only the inside does. It does taste a little like asparagus, though it's more like mild squash. It isn't my favorite vegetable due to the inconvenience factor, but it's worth a try since it's good for you and can be flavored easily.

posted by sliny on July 9th 2008 at 6:50am
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My dad loves this malunggay pod. I eat the leaves but not the pods. My mom sautes onion and garlic then add some pork. when the pork browns a little bit she will add some water and fish sauce, you can use salt, i'm just used to fish sauce. you need to peel the malunggay pods using a vegetable peeler, cut the tops and bottoms then cut them into 3 inches long. simmer them until they are soft. my dad doesn't eat the whole thing, he will just suck the insides. that's why i don't eat it, but the soup is good. good luck.

posted by oneladybug on July 10th 2008 at 1:53am
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