Page 31 - Edible Trees For Tucson

soils found naturally near washes.
• Microclimates: Mesquite trees require full
sun. They are frost tolerant to below 20ºF.
• Pollination: Flowers are insect pollinated.

CARE

The trees are spiny, depending on species, and
should be kept pruned to shape in public spaces.

H AR VES T

The mesquite pod pulp (surrounding the seed) is
edible. Harvest before the first rain of the summer,
or long after the rainy season in the dry conditions
of late summer and fall. Rain can cause a common
soil fungus to grow on mesquite pods. Native
trees are adapted to two rainy seasons (winter and
summer), and typically go through two flowering
phases, one in the spring (March-May) and the
other after the monsoon (August). This results
in two fruiting phases. Ripe pods range in color
from yellowish tan to reddish (not green), and are
dry and brittle. They come off the tree with little
pulling. Store in paper bags until processing. Use
a hammermill on the pods to crush and grind
both the pith and the seeds, and sift out most
of the debris. Mesquite pod flour is delicious in
a wide array of baked goods. As a legume, it is
gluten-free and rich in soluble fiber. Mesquite
flour is also high in protein. Follow specific baking
recommendations to incorporate mesquite flour
into baking recipes.

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