Moringa Fruit Pods

In different parts of India medicine, there are different uses for the fruits from the Moringa tree. Also, in South India cuisine, the fruit pods are used for food offering a very distinctive flavor. It is amazing that this one tree offers treatments for so many different ailments, but is also a nutritious ingredient!

Fruit Pods in Medicine:

• The fruit is sweet and pungent in taste and is cooked in various foods to prevent eye disorders and increasing semen both qualitatively and quantitatively.
• The unripe pods are preventive against intestinal worms.
• The fruits are also used for curing articular pains, tetanus, nervous debility, paralysis, pustules, patches and leprosy (Chopra et al., 1938).

Fruit Pods in Diets:

Murungaikai (Moringa Pod) Salad

• Ingredients
  
• 16 oz frozen drumstick/murungaikai
• 2 tbsp finely chopped red onion
• 2 tbsp finely chopped tomatoes (seeded)
• 1-2 small green chili, finely chopped
• 1 tsp dessicated or frozen coconut (optional)
• 2-3 tsp lime juice
• 1 tsp olive/vegetable oil
• 1/2 tsp mustard seeds
• 4 curry leaves, coarsely chopped
• Salt to taste
• Preparation
  
1. Cook murungaikai as done for the pickles (step 2 of murungaikai pickle).
2. Split open the murungaikai pieces. Scoop out the pulp and seeds. Set aside.
3. In a salad bowl mix onions, tomatoes and green chilies. Mix well. Now add murungaikai pulp. Mix lightly.
4. In a small saute pan, heat oil. Add mustard seeds. Let it splutter. Add the curry leaves.
5. Add this to the veggie mixture. Season with salt.
6. Add lime juice and coconut.
7. Mix well.

References