Arizona – Sonora Desert Museum: Cholla Bud Harvest

Participate in the centuries-old Sonoran Desert springtime ritual of harvesting cholla buds.

You will collect, de-thorn and learn how to prepare this food for longer-term storage by drying or pickling. We will demonstrate cooking a few dishes that incorporate the buds. The flavor is mild, something like asparagus. The natural history of the cholla and its sister cactus the prickly pear will be discussed, along with the health benefits of desert foods in general.