Shevgyacha Shenga or drumsticks is a regional Konkani ingredient that finds it usage in many authentic regional Konkani dishes. This stir fry preparation (Shevgyachya Shenganchi Bhaji) is often served as a side-dish with Chapati or steamed rice and Amti.
Having stayed all their lives in Mumbai, my parents decided to migrate to Ratnagiri a port city and a district in Konkan region of Maharashtra. We originally hail from Ratnagiri but migrated to Mumbai for my mother’s job and then stayed there for almost 3 decades. Now as my mother retired they decided to migrate to Ratnagiri back to our roots. We always had an ancestral home in Ratnagiri which my father would look after when he would travel to Ratnagiri couple of times every year. Now when both of them finally decided to settle down at Ratnagiri, they did many changes in the home.
Similar to what we all must have drawn in our drawings our humble abode has a small veranda that has many fruit bearing trees. It’s difficult to imagine a Konkani house without a banana tree, so we have one. We have mango trees too and how can I forget coconut trees, then there are plants that bear flowers or different variety.
We also like to grow our own vegetables. Besides the regular ones like Potatoes and Tomatoes, every Konkani also grows drumsticks. In our small village inhabited by few hundred people, drumsticks are a far too common sight-grown by almost every house. Known commonly as Shevgyachya Shenga it’s a very common ingredient in our cuisine. In Konkani cuisine, we use it in gravies, stir fry vegetables and even sea food preparations. Some popular dishes that comes to my mind are-Vaalachi Usal, Varan and Kolambiche Kalvan. Shevgyachya Shenga or drumstick is not a primary ingredient in any of these dishes but its addition does offer a complimentary sweetness which should not be skipped. In some dishes, the green leaves are used instead of drumsticks. Both the ingredients have an important part to play in the local cuisine-its sweetness and its freshness on full offer.
This stir fry preparation (Shevgyachya Shenganchi Bhaji) is often served as a side-dish with Chapati or steamed rice and Amti. Flavored with basic masala of Konkan, roasted Niger seeds which is one of the important addition to this preparation, adds earthy flavor to it!
Try out this simple stir fry, if you haven’t yet and you will be in for a pleasant surprise. Trust me simplicity is the real beauty.
Serves: 3-4
- 4 Drumsticks (300gms)-Peeled and cut into 3-4 inches’ pieces
- 2 Large=200gms Onions-sliced into lengths
- ½ Cup=60 gms freshly grated Coconut
- Cooking Oil
- 7-8 Curry Leaves
- 5-6 Cloves of Garlic-sliced into lengths
- ½ tsp Asafoetida Powder
- 1 tsp Turmeric Powder
- 2½ tsp Kashmiri red Chili powder
- 1 tsp Coriander Leaves Powder
- 2 tsp Goda Masala
- 1 tbsp Karale-Niger Seeds
- Salt
- Boil 1-liter water in a Pan. As water begins to boil, add some Sugar (1 tsp). Adding some sugar helps in maintaining green color of veggies
- Add Drumstick pieces. Cook on medium-high heat. This is a stir fry preparation, so we will cook the Drum sticks completely now in boiling water.
- Meanwhile, let's roast Niger seeds. Dry roast Niger Seeds on a hot tawa. Niger Seeds are used a lot in Maharashtrian Cuisine. In fact, there is a popular Chutney of Niger Seeds made in Marathwada region of Maharashtra
- Health benefits of Niger Seeds: - a) Improves Immunity b) Improves Blood Circulation c) Helps in Digestion
- Remove after the Niger Seeds are lightly roasted (approx. 1 mins). We have cooked Drumsticks for almost 7-8 mins. The color changes slightly. Remove drumsticks from the water. Do not overcook as it may then scatter in the pan.
- Once the drumsticks get cooled down to room temperature, open each piece
- Add Turmeric Powder, Red Chili Powder, Dry Coriander Powder, Goda Masala. You can substitute Goda Masala with Garam Masala. Add some Salt and mix all ingredients
- Heat 4 tbsp Cooking Oil in a Pan. Add Asafoetida Powder. Add Garlic and fry until it becomes brown in color. Add Curry Leaves, Onions and fry until Onions become brown in color
- Onions become light brown in 7-8 mins. Put drumsticks in pan and stir. Drumsticks are already cooked so we will fry for few mins on low-medium heat
- We have cooked for 5 mins on low heat. Add Niger seeds (crushed). Cook for another 1 min.
- Add freshly grated Coconut and mix. Switch off the heat and serve
- Drumstick stir fry can be served with Chapati, Bhakri. You can also enjoy it with Amti Rice and Varan Rice.
Click to watch recipe video
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