moringa chutney | drumstick leaves pachadi | specialdesirecipes

Nutrient-Rich Moringa Chutney | Iron-Rich Drumstick Leaves Pachadi

A spicy, flavor-packed Moringa Leaves Chutney made with fresh drumstick leaves, sesame seeds, coconut, garlic, chana dal, tamarind, red chillies & cumin. A nutritious Andhra-style pachadi perfect for rice, dosa & idlis.

Moringa, known as Drumstick Leaves or Munagaaku, is one of the most powerful superfoods in Indian cooking. Rich in iron, calcium, antioxidants, and essential vitamins, moringa has been part of traditional Telugu, Tamil, and Kannada kitchens for centuries. One of the tastiest ways to include these nutrient-packed leaves in daily meals is by preparing a flavorful Moringa Leaves Chutney, blended with sesame seeds, coconut, garlic, chana dal, tamarind, red chillies, and cumin seeds.

This chutney not only enhances your meal with bold flavours but also brings impressive health benefits with every spoonful.

 Why This Moringa Leaves Chutney Is Special ?

This recipe combines:

• Fresh moringa leaves for nutrition
• Sesame seeds for healthy fats and calcium
• Coconut for creaminess
• Chana dal for protein and thickness
• Garlic for Antioxidant Benefits
• Tamarind for natural tang
• Red chilies & cumin for seasoning and fragrance

They come together in a wholesome, aromatic, and simply delicious chutney.

Video Recipe 

Ingredients 

Main Ingredients

• 100g of fresh moringa (drumstick) leaves
• 1 Green Chilli
• 3 tbsp sesame seeds
• 1/4th Cup grated coconut (fresh )
• 1 tbsp chana dal
• 8–10 cloves of garlic
• 8–10 dried red chillies (adjust to taste)
• Small lemon-sized tamarind
• 1/2 tbsp cumin seeds
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp oil (for roasting)

For Tempering 

• 3 tbsp Oil
• 1/2 tsp Mustard Seeds
• 1/2 Tsp Cumin Seeds
• 1/2 Tbsp Urad Dal
• 1/2 Tbsp Chana Dal
• 2 Dried Red Chilli
• 1 Tbsp Crushed Garlic
• Few curry leaves
• Pinch Hind
• 1/2 Tsp Turmeric Powder

Step-by-Step Recipe

1. Clean and Prepare the Moringa Leaves

• Clean the leaves of moringa, removing thick stems. Then, shake off excess water.
• Sauté them lightly in 1 tsp of oil until they shrink and become soft.
• This helps remove raw bitterness.

2. Roast the Ingredients

• In pan roast chana dal, garlic, green chillies, dry red chillies, sesame seeds, cumin seeds, Fresh coconut.
• Roast till the seeds splutter and coconut changed colour
• Let all cool completely

3. Blend the Chutney

In a mixer:

• Add roasted ingredients and blend
• Add salt
• Now add roasted moringa leaves with tamarind
• Grind to a slightly coarse chutney
• Add a splash of water only if needed

4. Optional Tempering

• Heat 1 tsp oil, crackle mustard seeds, cumin seeds, dry red chillies, urad dal, curry leaves, hing, turmeric and crushed garlic.
• Pour over the chutney for extra aroma.

 Serving Suggestions

This moringa chutney goes amazingly well with:

• Steaming hot rice and ghee
• Idli or dosa with ghee / Oil
• Ragi sangati / foxtail millet rice
• Chapati or jowar rotis
• As a spread on sandwiches and wraps
• A spoonful adds both taste and nutrition in everyday meals.

Health Benefits of Moringa Leaves Chutney

1. Rich in Iron & Helps Boost Hemoglobin

• Moringa leaves are one of the richest sources of iron in nature.
• Regular consumption maintains good hemoglobin levels, especially in women.

2. Strengthens Bones

• Both moringa leaves and sesame seeds are packed with calcium; hence, this chutney is good for bone strength, joint health, and growing children.

3. Excellent for Immunity

Garlic, moringa, red chillies, and coconut provide powerful antioxidants that:

• Fight inflammation
• Improve immunity
• Protect against seasonal infections

4. Helps in Digestion

The fiber in moringa plus the probiotics from garlic support:

• Better digestion
• Reduced bloating
• Healthy gut health

5. Supports Natural Weight Loss

Moringa helps:

• Increase metabolism
• Reduce unnecessary cravings
• Improve fat-burning processes
• This chutney is low-calorie yet nutritionally dense, excellent for weight management.

6. Regulates Blood Sugar Levels

• Moringa leaves are packed with phytochemicals, which naturally balance blood glucose levels, making this herb an excellent addition for diabetic-friendly diets.

7. Good for Skin & Hair

Antioxidants, Vitamin C & iron in moringa help:

• Reduce acne
• Improve skin glow 
• Strengthens hair roots. 
• Reduce hair fall 

 Storage Instructions

• Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. 
• Stays fresh for 2–3 days. 
• Do not add too much water when grinding to increase the shelf life.