With so many great dining choices in Sierra Vista, you probably don’t need to eat plants that you find out in the Arizona desert, but if you’re a “try anything once” kind of person, it might be fun to sample some of the edible plants that the Sonoran Desert has to offer. Choose from this list of safe, edible desert plants, consult with an Arizona horticulture expert or foraging instructor, or do some careful research of your own before you dig in.
Prickly Pear Cactus
The pads and fruit of prickly pear cacti are edible and have health benefits. They are high in Vitamin C and calcium, high in dietary fiber, and contain high amounts of kaempferol, which is a natural aid against cancer and heart disease. They also contain antioxidants and proteins that protect the body against infections. prickly pears have been used medicinally and as a food source in Native cultures for generations, and the pads and fruit can be found ready to use in certain grocery stores and markets.
Mesquite Pods
Mesquite pods are easy to gather, as they fall from the tree when they are dry and brittle, which is the perfect time to use them. Just don’t gather them on someone else’s property without checking with them first! Mesquite pods can be ground into flour, which is naturally gluten-free. They can also be boiled down into syrup. Like Prickly Pears, mesquite pods have medicinal value—they can stabilize blood sugar levels, are rich in protein, and reduce inflammation.
Saguaro Cactus
The fruit of the saguaro cactus ripens in June and July and can be harvested throughout those months. Saguaros are protected on Arizona public land and you may need to contact a local government office before harvesting. You an also contact a harvesting group in your area, or buy fruit that has already been harvested.
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