Moringa Thoran || A Typical Kerala Vegetable Dish

Cook for me daughter, he said. Ok, not quite like that, but Dad came around with a branch of Moringa leaves.

As far back as I can remember, we always had one Moringa/Drumstick tree growing in our backyard. When the drumsticks were ready to be picked, we'd add into the curry of the day, or just cook it on its own. The leaves were used either in Lentil Curry or stir-fried.

I, having moved to the city in my early 20s, first hardly ever cooked because it is cheaper to eat out for one. And second, I never lived in a house/room that had easy access to the Moringa tree.

However, my Dad's brother who has a small plot of land at the back of the house has planted all kinds of everything including a Moringa tree. One day he brought 5 seeds over for my Dad even though Dad lives in a highrise now. They threw them into a pot and two sprouted. Since these trees do grow to quite a size, Dad got rid of one. I wish he had given it to me though.

Anyways, he comes over and hands me a branch and asks if I could whip up Moringa Thoran. Challenge accepted.

According to Wiki:

Thoran (Malayalam: തോരൻ, pronounced [t̪oːɾan]; or upperi in Northern Kerala is a class of dry vegetable dishes combined with coconut that originated in the Indian state of Kerala. This common dish is usually eaten with rice and curry and is also part of the traditional Keralite sadhya.

I cannot remember the leaves being almost impossible to wet. It kept floating and sticking to my hands; it was tricky to wash.

Onions
Garlic
Mustard Seeds

In a bowl, mix the Moringa leaves, grated coconut, tumeric powder and salt.

Fry onions, garlic, mustard seeds. Add dried chilli or like me, chilli flakes. Then add the Moringa mix. Cover for 10 minutes.

And it's ready to be served with rice or if you rather, bread.

Honestly, it was easier than I thought. I may have used a bit too much grated coconut but I am okay with it. The Moringa leaves are a little bitter so the coconut offsets the bitterness.

I am sure by now, you already know the Moringa has loads of health benefits. I think it funny that before all the hype of how good it is for you, that big tree was just a tree that fed us every now and then. And sometimes, our neighbours because there was only so many/much drumsticks/leaves one could eat.

Let me know if you will give this Moringa Thoran a try?

Thank you for reading,
Till next time, Carpe Diem,
Sh33la