Litchfield Park center harvests, mills mesquite pods

The P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center will host a free mesquite milling event 9 a.m.-noon Saturday, Sept. 21, at 13912 W. Camelback Road.

The event invites the public to bring harvested mesquite pods to be milled into flour using a hammermill, one of only a few in the state.

In partnership with Sonoran Scavengers, the milling event will offer attendees the chance to see the milling process, sample baked goods made with mesquite flour, and purchase mesquite flour, jams, and preserves made from desert-harvested plants.

“It’s amazing how many things in the desert environment can be eaten.” said Lisa Hegarty, executive director of the P.W. Litchfield Heritage Center.

Mesquite pods, harvested before the monsoon season, are valued for their nutritional benefits, including being a source of fiber, protein, and essential minerals. The flour is gluten-free, promotes healthy blood sugar levels and has a sweet, nutty flavor.

Sonoran Scavengers will also provide information on mesquite harvesting and other edible plants from the Sonoran Desert.

“This is a special opportunity to learn about food sources in the Sonoran Desert,”  Hegarty said.

Visit lphsmuseum.org for more information.