Palo verde

Parkinsonia florida, P. microphylla

legume

Green seeds picked from the still-tender pods, eaten raw, tasting of peas or edamame.

Origin

Sonoran Desert

Where to find it

It is Arizona's state tree; its pods are picked in the streets of Tucson and Phoenix, where it is planted.

Season (United States)

May to June · grows in your region

Preparation

The still-green pods are opened and the seeds eaten right away, raw, or blanched for a minute.

Molecules

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

Did you know?

Its green bark does the work of the leaves, which it sheds at the first drought.