White carob tree (Prosopis alba)

Family: Fabaceae | Edibility: Edible (3/5)

Prosopis alba can reportedly tolerate drought, salt and sand; in fact, it is extremely efficient with regards to water consumption, it produces the most fruits in years of drought and has been successfully introduced in arid terrains.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Nuts/Seeds, Shoots

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Fall, Late Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

sweet fresh juice. — Pod - fresh or dried.; The pod can be eaten as a fresh fruit or conserved in its own sweet fresh juice.; If the pod is dried then ground into a powder, it gives a flour that can be mixed with a little water and eaten immediately or used for making cakes.; The popular drink 'aloja' is prepared with the fresh, sweet tasting pods.

Habitat & North American Range

Arid and semi-arid regions with groundwater, such as drainage channels and along groundwater sinks. A common ruderal weed, coming up singly and in groups along roadsides, around habitations, on refuse dumps and in other disturbed habitats. (Zone 10)