Ground plum

Astragalus crassicarpus

legume · vegetable

Round, fleshy green pods, as big as plums, eaten raw tasting of peas, or cooked.

Origin

Great Plains of North America

Where to find it

In dry prairies, from Manitoba to Texas; its pods are no longer picked.

Season (United States)

May to June

Preparation

The pods are picked green and firm, before they dry; they are rinsed and eaten whole, or cooked for five minutes.

Molecules

ProteinIn small amounts, not counted GOS (galacto-oligosaccharides) · Folates (B9) · Insoluble fibers

Did you know?

Plains settlers pickled them like gherkins.