Page 186 - The Forager’s Guide to Wild Foods

Honey Locust, Gleditsia

triacanthos (FABACEAE)

HONEY LOCUST is a deciduous tree growing to 80 indigestion. This species is being studied for its an-
ft. (24m) tall with a spreading, open crown. Its trunk ti-cancer potential.
and limbs are armed with reddish-brown, branch- HOW TO HARVEST AND EAT: Harvest young, green
ing thorns to 8 inches (20cm) long. The tree’s black- pods from the branches in the late summer. The sticky,
ish bark is fissured into plates. Honey locusts occur bright green pulp inside is as sweet as honey. Enjoy
in woods and fields across the east-central United it raw as a snack, or dry it for use as a sweetener or
States. thickener, or dry and powder for flour. Mature pods
FLOWER AND FRUIT: From May to July, fragrant that have dropped to the ground are bitter and inedi-
greenish-yellow flowers droop in clusters. Each ra- ble. You can also cook the immature pod seeds, which
ceme is 2-5 inches (5-13cm) long. Flattened, twisted taste similar to peas.
pods emerge in summer, reaching 8-18 inches (20- HONEY LOCUST POWDER: Ingredients: Young honey
45cm) long and maturing to dark reddish-brown. locust pods. Soak pods in boiled water for 4-6 hrs. Re-
They contain bean-like seeds embedded in a sweet, move seeds. Chop pods into 1-inch (2.5cm) pieces. De-
tacky pulp. hydrate at 150°F (65°C) in an oven. Grind pods with
LEAF: The glossy, dark green foliage is alternate and a pestle. This sweet, coarse powder can be used in
once or twice compound. Measuring 4-8 inches (10- baking. For use in beverages, strain powder through
20cm) long, the central stalk often bears 3-6 pairs of a fine-mesh sieve.
side branches. The lance-shaped leaflets are 0.5-1.2 WARNING: This tree, including its pods, contains
inches (1-3cm) long and slightly toothed. They turn potentially toxic compounds. The pulp has also been
yellow in autumn. known to cause throat irritation.

EDIBLE PARTS: pulp of unripe pods, seeds POISONOUS LOOK-ALIKES: Kentucky Coffee Tree,
KEY MEDICINAL USES: Juice from the seed pods is Gymnocladus dioicus - pods are poisonous; note its
antiseptic. The bark is a stomachic, taken as a tea for seeds are edible well-roasted.

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