Drumsticks Ava Kura
Authentic drumsticks ava kura is a flavourful telugu curry recipe featuring tender moringa pods simmered with aromatic curry leaves, mustard seeds, coconut and ground spices. Ready in 30 minutes! Learn how to make this healthy, vegan curry with our step-by-step recipe. Perfect with rice!
Have you ever thought about what sets a real South Indian curry unique? Enjoyed for decades on South Indian dinner tables, drumsticks ava kura is a delightful treat.
Also, known as Munagakāyalu Āva Kūra. This is not your typical vegetable curry; rather, it’s a gastronomic adventure that will transport you to the very centre of Indian food as I discovered when seeing my grandmother deftly whip it up in her traditional kitchen.
What Makes Drumsticks Ava Kura Special?
Before we go into the recipe, let’s talk about what makes this drumstick curry so special. Moringa (yep, drumstick and moringa are the same!) has been a staple of Indian cuisine for ages. These long, slim pods have a nutritional profile that would make any superfood envy. When blended with aromatic curry leaves and a variety of spices, they become something truly wonderful.
Tips for Perfect Drumsticks Ava Kura
Recipe Card – Drumsticks Ava Kura
Drumsticks Ava Kura
Course: Main, SidesCuisine: South Indian, TeluguDifficulty: Moderate4
servings15
minutes15
minutes30
mins30
minutesAuthentic drumsticks ava kura (Munagakāyalu Āva Kūra) is a flavourful telugu curry recipe featuring tender moringa pods simmered with aromatic curry leaves, mustard seeds, coconut and ground spices. Ready in 30 minutes! Learn how to make this healthy, vegan curry with our step-by-step recipe. Perfect with rice!
Ingredients
3 large fresh drumsticks (moringa) or 5 medium sized
3 tbsp white sesame seeds
2 tbsp raw rice
fresh coconut chunks from ½ of a large coconut. if small, take the whole coconut.
4 dry red chillies
1 tsp mustard seeds
1 tbsp sugar
4 sprigs curry Leaves
½ tbsp split urad dal
2 tbsp oil
salt to taste
Directions
- To a small bowl, add 3 tbsp white sesame seeds and 2 tbsp raw rice. Add just enough water to soak them and set aside for 30 mins.
- First, prepare the drumsticks by washing them thoroughly and cutting them into uniform pieces. Pro tip: Look for young drumsticks – they’re more tender and perfect for curry.
- Take fresh coconut chunks for half of a big coconut and toss them with 3 dry red chillies and the white sesame seeds + raw rice mixture after draining the water in a big mixie jar. Take the whole thing if you have a small coconut.
- First combine it without water; then, add some water to get a medium-thick gravy. Save.
- Add drumsticks and enough plain water in a deep pan to submerge the drumsticks. Add some salt for taste.
- Cook covered over high heat for 8 to 10 minutes. You want the drumsticks to be 80% done.
- Low the flame after the drumsticks are 80% done. Combine the blended coconut masala. After rinsing the mixie jar, also add a small amount of water.
- Add one tablespoon sugar; turn the burner to medium and simmer for five to seven minutes.
- Tempering
- Add two tablespoons oil, one teaspoon mustard seeds to a tempering pan and let them pop. Add half tablespoon split urad dal, one dry red chilli, four sprigs curry leaves. Once it begins to crackle, toss them into the gravy. Turn off the flame for the tempering pan and the ava kura gravy pan.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Look for young drumsticks – they’re more tender and perfect for curry.
- Don’t overcook – they should be tender but still hold their shape.
- The curry gravy should be medium-thick, perfect for scooping up with rice or bread.
- For extra flavour, try adding a handful of fresh curry leaves towards the end of cooking.
Serving Suggestions
This drumstick curry pairs beautifully with hot plain rice, South Indian Lemon Rice or Coconut Rice. For a complete feast, serve it alongside some Parippu Vada as a crunchy accompaniment.
Health Benefits
The humble drumstick vegetable is a nutritional powerhouse. Rich in vitamins A, C, and K, iron, and calcium, this curry isn’t just delicious – it’s a healthy curry option too. In fact, every part of the moringa plant, from its leaves to its pods, has been used in traditional medicine for centuries.
Storage and Leftovers
This vegan curry keeps well in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Store it in an airtight container, but remember – the drumsticks tend to become more tender over time, which some people actually prefer!
A Personal Touch
I remember my grandmother saying that the secret to perfect drumsticks ava kura lies in patience – letting the spices bloom and the drumsticks cook slowly until they reach that perfect tenderness. She’d always add an extra sprinkle of curry leaves just before serving, a trick I still use today.
This drumstick curry recipe is your gateway to real South Indian tastes regardless of your level of experience cooking Indian food or just beginning your trip into it. It’s more than simply a curry; it’s evidence of India’s rich gastronomic legacy, where deft use of spices and traditional cooking methods turns basic veggies into spectacular meals.
Looking for more South Indian inspiration? Check out our Canned Tomato Pachadi (Andhra Style) or the aromatic Coriander Rice recipes!
