mesquite magic
Website design By BotEap.comThe Tree of Life: Mesquite is a tree or shrub that grows in desert regions around the world, areas unsuited for most agriculture. On 25% of our planet you can find mesquite species growing without any help from fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation or capitalization. This is not surprising, as the mesquite tree’s root system can grow more than 100 feet deep in search of water, making it a hardy survivor in harsh climates. Like many members of the vegetable family, mesquite restores nitrogen to the soil.
Website design By BotEap.comMesquite forms bean-like pod fruits in the fall that have long been a nutritious food source for humans, wildlife, and livestock. Mesquite pods do not split open when ripe. The pods of all 3 common species of mesquite – Honey Mesquite, Screwbean Mesquite, and Velvet Mesquite – are edible, although Screwbean is less flavorful than the more widespread Honey Mesquite. A favorite of bees and other insects, mesquite flowers produce a fragrant honey.
Website design By BotEap.comMesquite is known as the tree of life because of its many uses: Native Americans in the desert regions of Arizona and California used all parts of the tree. Its bark was used for basketry, pottery, cloth, rope, and medicine. The trunk and branches were used in the manufacture of bows, arrows, mortars, and furniture; Because it burns slowly and without smoke, mesquite makes good firewood. The thorns were used for tattooing and to make sewing needles. The leaves were used to make tea, as an eye wash, and for headaches and stomachaches. Chewing gum was used as candy gum, pottery repair glue, face paint, pottery paint, and hair dye.
Website design By BotEap.comBut it was the mesquite pod, with its nutritious, bittersweet pulp, that provided the greatest benefit to desert peoples. The pods were harvested in the fall, when they were yellowish brown and still hanging from the tree. They were dried in the sun and then stored in large baskets for future use. The beans (both pods and seeds) were ground into a coarse flour, then, by adding water, turned into a cake without cooking. Some cultures removed the seeds from the pods and ground them into a flour called pinole, from which a loaf was baked.
Website design By BotEap.comMesquite as food: Mesquite flour has a sweet, nutty flavor. This fragrant flour can be used in baking or as a seasoning in foods and beverages.
- when used in baking, is used in combination with other flours – the ratio is generally 1 part mesquite flour to 2 to 3 cups of grain or rice flour. Since mesquite is sweet, you may want to lower the sugar in the recipe. Try mesquite in your pancakes, muffins, cakes, cornbread or cookies.
- how do you have spiceMesquite flour is ideal for flavoring steaks, chicken, pork, and fish. Sprinkle mesquite over meats and vegetables before grilling; add it to your breading for meat and fish. It can be added to vegetable stir-fries, scrambled eggs, cookies, breads, soups, and even ice cream.
- Summer Mesquite Drink: Add 2 tablespoons of finely ground mesquite flour to 1 cup of cold water. Stir and let sit for a couple of minutes, then strain, add honey to taste, and serve.
- mesquite tea: 1 pound square. of mesquite pods in 1 gallon of water. Boil the pods, at boiling point, for 30 minutes. Remove the pods and strain. Chill the broth and serve over ice.