As winter tightens its grip across India, the craving for steaming, comforting bowls of soup becomes universal. Beyond mere warmth, a well-crafted soup can be a powerhouse of nutrition. Spiritual leader and wellness advocate Sadhguru, through a blog post on the Isha Foundation website dated January 9, 2026, shared a wholesome recipe for Drumstick Soup that utilizes the entire vegetable for maximum health benefits.
Why Drumstick is a Superfood for Winter
Sadhguru highlights the impressive nutritional profile of the drumstick, or Moringa oleifera. He notes that these immature seed pods originate from the Himalayan foothills and are now cultivated widely in tropical regions. They are a rich source of vitamin C, dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium, and manganese.
The recipe uniquely incorporates not just the pods but also the leaves and blossoms. According to Sadhguru, the leaves are exceptionally nutritious, containing protein, beta-carotene, vitamin C, calcium, potassium, and iron. He advises chewing the leaves thoroughly to best assimilate these nutrients.
Ingredients You Will Need
Gathering fresh ingredients is the first step to this healing soup. You will require:
- 2 drumsticks
- 1 handful of drumstick blossoms
- 1 handful of drumstick leaves
- 1 small tomato
- 1 teaspoon butter
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 cup of cooked moong dal (split green gram)
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions
Prepare the Dal Base
Begin by washing the moong dal. Cook it in a pressure cooker with salt, pepper, and turmeric. Allow it to cook for three whistles until soft and well-blended. This dal will form the protein-rich base of your soup.
Extract the Drumstick Pulp
Thoroughly wash the drumsticks. Trim and chop them into pieces roughly the length of a finger. Place them in a pan with about two cups of water and boil until they become tender. Once soft, squeeze or scoop out the pulp from the fibrous shells. Keep this pulp aside. For a smoother consistency, you can blend this pulp in a mixer until it is smooth.
Chop and Temper the Aromatics
Wash and finely chop the tomato. Next, heat the butter in a pan. Add the cumin seeds and let them crackle and splutter. This releases their earthy aroma. To the tempered butter, add the drumstick blossoms, leaves, and the chopped tomato. Sauté briefly before adding the stock from the cooked moong dal. Allow this mixture to come to a boil.
Combine and Finalize the Soup
Cook the mixture, stirring it continuously until it becomes homogeneous. Now, add the prepared drumstick pulp and mix everything well. Adjust the seasoning with more salt and a generous grind of black pepper. Bring the soup to a final boil, ensuring all flavors are melded together.
Serve Hot for Maximum Benefit
Your nutritious Drumstick Soup is now ready. Ladle it into bowls and serve it piping hot. This soup is more than just a winter warmer; it is a deliberate act of nourishing the body with essential vitamins and minerals. By using every part of the drumstick plant, as Sadhguru suggests, you create a truly wholesome and filling dish perfect for the chilly season.
