Arizona Foraging with Cactus Kelly

Ironwood beans are green, some turning tan and brown. They will have a harvest window from approximately May 20 to June 1. I boil the dark brown dry pods, and the beans swell up and are so delicious to eat like peanuts! Don't eat the pods, just the beans. I find it best to freeze the beans for 3 days after harvest, then store them in barrels or buckets with lids. Look for upcoming harvesting events I'll list on this page!