Desert Foraging: Part 1 of 2

[@cupidmattox3804]

I live in Nevada but I am originally from mich. I know what is harvestable in greener climates. But to learn that there are food sources in the desert, I never knew about is valuable information. Thank you so much for posting this video. I hope you plan on doing alot more videos in the future

[@AdventureRyan]

I'm originally from Alaska, so when I first got here to Arizona I felt like you--it didn't seem possible for any of this stuff to be edible--but there's actually a lot more going on than I realized. And yes, I'll have more videos like this in the future. I'm glad to here you benefited from it--that's what keeps me going!

[@shamk8170]

desserts

[@shamk8170]

cakes

[@shamk8170]

butterflies in the desert

[@Becky_Lewis]

@@AdventureRyan I'm in Black Canyon City Arizona for a funeral for my Mother. I'm here from Indiana and use to Foraging there but never tried out West at all. I'm from Phoenix originally but wasn't Foraging until 3 years ago. I'm here for a few days to go through Mom's things and pack up etc.. It's August 7th, 2020... Any possibility of finding good Medicine? I'm in Natural Healing and looking for ANYTHING 👼🙏😁🍀🌿. Thank You for the videos 😊 Blessings to You in your Journey and Good Foraging! 😎🌵

[@beckysander6876]

Yes, cicada.

[@xXDJllamap3tt3rXx]

I remember my brother and I chewing on mormon tea all the time as kids. We called it "Indian tea" though, because that's what was taught to us. Cool video!

[@AdventureRyan]

Thanks, Joe. And yes, Mormon Tea seems to be one of the more common names for it, but it goes by all kinds of names. Basically, anyone that's been in the Southwest throughout history took an interest in this plant enough to get a name attached to it. Pretty cool little plant.

[@NachoAE360]

I’m from the PNW and am looking at living in AZ. I didn’t realize there’s plenty of foraging there too. Thanks for sharing!

[@AdventureRyan]

You're welcome. And you're right, it really is amazing how much is out there.

[@finalsnipe8278]

I didn't know Palo Verde produced edibles. Good to know!

[@AdventureRyan]

Tasty little things too!

[@loncho5079]

What you call cactus paddles & prickly pears, Mexicans call Nopales & its fruit is called "Tunas" both can be bought at any Mexican market. When picked fresh the young newly grown Nopales are chosen and the easiest way to cook them (after you first scrape off the needles with a knife or peeler) is cut them into strips or pieces and boil them & after they are boiled you can scramble them with eggs (add chorizo if you have it), dice them up into a salsa, toss them with a salad or add them to a stew or soup, you can also boil the nopales/pads whole and finish them on a grill/bbq brushed with butter or olive oil then salt & pepper to taste. (the taste is similar to parboiled Lemony String bean/green bean) The fruit "Tunas" are much larger when bought from the markets & come in two varieties red or green both sweet, I prefer the "green" as they are easy to peel by hand and the texture inside is similar to watermelon but the color is white & taste similar to a pear, whereas the red variety is more sticky & juicy & red inside better suited for juices or jams than a hand eaten fruit. P.S. you passed a few "Cholla" cactus (pronounced "Choy-yah") that is also edible (but have way more needles to remove, so best to through them directly onto burning wood coals to burn off the needles. The Cholla cactus also grows edible tiny fruits high in sugar. Keep your head on a swivel & keep on foraging!

[@AdventureRyan]

Thanks for sharing this info, Loncho. And I agree, the cholla are a lot more troublesome to work with, but it's always good to know the options that surround us.

[@meihelaniitaaehau1539]

It's lovely to see the Sonoran desert from a foraging perspective! So hard to find content about it because of laws forbidding people from foraging without written consent from the owners of the land INCLUDING the government. I know they don't tend to police people from doing it out in the desert where no one's lookin, but it's hard to get your butt out there while it's hot just to potentially get slapped with a fine over some beans. I've always wanted to forage out here though! Right now I just do backyard identification for edible invasives and such. Haven't actually prepared anything from it yet, I'm usually out there just casually chewin on some common mallows to make sure I don't have an allergy to them. My neighbors must think I'm nuts!

[@AdventureRyan]

It is hard to find places to forage legally in the Sonoran desert. If you own a large piece of land, or know someone that does, that’s always a win, but public lands are tricky. The connection with the land that can be discovered through careful and respectful foraging is an amazing thing though. So if that means chewing on mallow and confusing your neighbors-I say keep at it!

[@plutopepsi578]

Now I’m craving nopales.

[@charleskoutz4910]

Looks like the goldfield mountains

[@albertsmith5385]

Your Mormon tea is what we call Indian tea

[@AdventureRyan]

You’re right. The plant has been popular with almost everyone who have lived in the Southwest, so it has many names-Mormon tea, Brigham tea, desert tea, Indian tea… Mormon tea seems to be one of the more widely recognized names for it, but I personally like to refer to it simply as “desert tea.”

[@WoooVegas]

Great video !

[@KyleTheArchitect]

I live a nomadic lifestyle, and wander through southern Nevada all the time especially during the winter months. Palo Verde trees get 2/3 of their photosynthesized food from their bark, so be sure to treat them with extra respect :) the seeds make a great flour when dried and ground down. Their thin branches are also great to weave for baskets

[@AdventureRyan]

Thanks for commenting. Palo Verde trees are amazing. The more I learn about them, and any plant really, the more careful and respectful I am with them. I haven’t ever made flour from the seeds yet.

[@dannyleonidas4328]

Rule of thumb is Palo Verde when green and Mesquite when dry. Vice versa they are not as palatable.

[@ottmountain733]

This is so cool! We always talk about foraging here in the east. Awesome to see what you can do in the desert environment. We'll be travelling to Arizona and Utah later this year so this will definitely be a reference for us!

[@AdventureRyan]

Its really a lot of fun, and I'm sure there's plenty of options out there in your part of the woods. Knowing how to use the plants around you is a great wilderness skill, but it also--in my opinion--better connects you with nature. Also, I hope the temperature drops a little for you guys before you get here--it is HOT right now!

[@ottmountain733]

Speaking of Arizona / Utah - any recommendations on where we might go for a 2 or 3 day backpacking trip? We love the red rocks of Sedona and Moab and also the mountain areas. We'd like to avoid crowds so I'm thinking of avoiding the National Parks if we can. Just doing some preliminary trip planning at this point. Thanks Ryan!

[@AdventureRyan]

The Superstition Wilderness is a desert playground that I've spent some time in, and it has a network of trail systems that can off anything from a short day hike to an extended backpacking trip. You usually have the trail to yourself once you've gone in about 2-3 miles. The Superstition Wilderness can be entered from multiple places--one of my favorites (quieter and more varied landscape) starts at the Tortilla Flats trailhead. Sedona and Flagstaff has a lot to offer as well, and you'll get out of the heat that way, too. Most of my trips of north have been shorter, day hike or single night trips, so I've yet to discover what those places have to offer for the 2-3 day trips you're aiming for. Let me know if you need any local recon work done!

[@ottmountain733]

Thanks Ryan, we REALLY appreciate your help! We'll definitely be back atcha with questions as we get closer to our trip.

[@GregSilverado]

yup in June it is the cicada (3301) makes that noise

[@larva5606]

Yeah I heard they’re hard to locate.... 😏

[@mattnoneyabizniss9735]

When you were looking at the jojoba plant you passed right over a desert Hackberry plant which fruits twice a year and has delicious little orange berries with a pit inside but obviously doesn’t have fruit on it right now but that is another source of food twice a year When you were looking at the jojoba plant you passed right over a desert hackberry plant which fruits twice a year and has delicious little orange berries with a pit inside but obviously doesn’t have fruit on it right now but that is another source of food twice a year

[@AdventureRyan]

Thanks, Matt. Desert hackberry is always a welcome treat to come across. It’s amazing how much food exists out in the desert.

[@DavidinFrance]

We love foraging in France too!

[@AdventureRyan]

Awesome!

[@Nerding4Nature]

I'm just working on a prickly pear video now! We only have brittle prickly pears around here, which are tiny. The fruit aren't eaten (too small), but the stems were once eaten as a starvation food. One day I'll have to go somewhere where I can try the fruit. Desert plants are pretty much aliens to me.

[@AdventureRyan]

I really like the prickly pear fruit. I've made jam out of it, made drinks, and just eaten in raw. It's a tasty little thing, but no matter what I do or how careful I am, I always seem to track a billion glochids back home (which my wife is always thrilled about...)

[@dannyleonidas4328]

Jojoba is best roasted but you cant eat too many because you can get diarrhea. But they are good and taste like chestnuts if roasted

[@nunyab1836]

Yeah I found out the hard way with the jojoba, it's a diuretic. Oh yeah I had to beans. The oil is really good for your skin if you could extract it

[@SonoraSlinger]

Jojoba is a good coffee substitute

[@kristopherkartchner1856]

Looks like you live close to Tucson? I also go foraging around there, great job, hope to see you out there! 👍

[@julietagracia4030]

I'm trying to start foraging in the Tucson area, any tips?

[@kristopherkartchner1856]

@@julietagracia4030 check the seasons for prickly pear, saguaro fruit, Palo Verde seeds, and mesquite pods. Have fun and good luck!

[@odelloutdoors3424]

I will be camping in the woodlands and taking day trips in the Sonoran desert in February for a week. What edibles do you think I could expect to find then? I’ve picked up several books, but learning from people like yourself is much better. Any help would be awesome.

[@AdventureRyan]

I've seen Blue Dicks as early as February (I have an older video on foraging those), so you might come across some of those. Prickly pear pads are not in their prime during that time of year, so they'll be very fibrous, and not the most graceful thing to sit down and eat--but it's still food. Ocotillo blossoms aren't as common then, but I've seen them in February before--those aren't really a food item, but they can work as a sweetener or as a beverage. Also, mormon tea--another beverage or flavoring--is available year round (but best when gathered shortly after a rain). Have fun out there, and be safe!

[@stonetoolcompany3649]

prickly pear pads can actually have a sweet pear like flavor.....I found this to be the case in Hell’s Canyon near Pittsburg Landing, but here in Montana, the ones I’ve tried had little to offer.... Probably a different species???

[@AdventureRyan]

Yeah, there's lots of different species out there, but the time of year has a big effect it too. They get really fibery if gathered too late in the year.

[@conancastle9810]

I think Opuntia Indica is the one that is used for Nopales

[@KlassiclyRevampT]

You should be wearing a light hat while out there on the trail on the desert.

[@AdventureRyan]

I haven't died yet! But yes, a hat not only keeps your temperature at a more comfortable level, but it can help to conserve the amount of water you have to drink to stay properly hydrated. For most trips, I personally prefer to not wear a hat. I enjoy the extra sensory detail and connection I get with Nature--might seem silly, but it's worth it to me.

[@KlassiclyRevampT]

@@AdventureRyan I totally can relate the not wanting to wear a hat when out. As I am barefoot 98% of the time, many can say the same for my wanting to keep my toes in the sand 😉! I have had to force myself to wear a hat when out in this beautiful desert heat the past couple of years. But finding a good breathable hat that doesnt hold the heat in though has been a challenge for me unfortunately.

[@AdventureRyan]

Yeah! I totally support toes in the sand!

[@larryfisherman6449]

Damn my nana always told me this little bean pods where poisonous 😂

[@UserUser-ll3nn]

That cactus you show its more to deed cattle. There is another variety of cactus that is what you eat. Want to learn all about food from this type of desert? Most are insects. Go to cadereyta, Queretaro Mexico to learn about desert cussine

[@AdventureRyan]

There are definitely more delicious varieties out there, but for in terms of survival, these eat just fine and provide a good amount of much needed carbohydrates.

[@Vera-dc7my]

Hi Ryan. I am in serous need for the Mormon tea and have no clue how to go about finding the area it’s in. I am willing to come all the way from Chicago to forage. Are you willing to help in telling me exactly where to go and find it? Many thanks

[@johnsavage7507]

You can usually find it in washes.

[@davidcuthbert72]

thx for the video m8

[@AdventureRyan]

You’re welcome, David!

[@hailiepaton2307]

The things making that noise are cicadas :)

[@tracisayhi]

Hi, I'm going to Las Vegas in the beginning of this May. Will that be too early for foraging in nearby deserts?

[@AdventureRyan]

No, May is good! Everything has its season, of course, but there’s plenty to forage in the spring months. Especially some of the greens that will either be dried up by summer or to fibrous and bitter.

[@tracisayhi]

@@AdventureRyan Thank you!

[@AdventureRyan]

Have a good trip!

[@tracisayhi]

​@@AdventureRyan Thank you. We love Las Vegas. My husband thinks I won't find anything foraging because we will be on the strip without a car, but it is all desert and I think that people overlook a lot of things that are right in front of them.... and there are still areas to walk that are not part of the strip, though we know that some are homeless encampments. Here, in the city, I find lambs quarters and a great myriad of edible things growing in and around city centers, even around homeless encampments, so, I'm going to take my husband up on his challenge.

[@AdventureRyan]

@tracisayhi, sounds like a fun challenge. I’m always a little cations with eating anything close to the city just because of pesticides and other things like that, but you’re absolutely right, there’s a lot of potential food that’s overlooked. In fact, closer to cities, you can usually find a lot of what most people just call “weeds,” but a lot of that is not only edible, but full of nutrients.

[@rodrigomendez3161]

Awesome video man. I live out in Tucson. How many rattlers do you come across?

[@AdventureRyan]

Thanks, Rodrigo! I usually come across at least a couple rattlers each summer. But now I’m watching for bear and moose instead of rattlers. In August (just two months ago), I moved my base camp to Alaska! It’s a bit of a contrast here! Lots of adventures to be had here though, and plenty of foraging opportunities as well.

[@rodrigomendez3161]

Wow Alaska that’s awesome! Did you officially move there?

[@4sp3nF41r7]

Where are you at? Think I missed it

[@AdventureRyan]

Arizona (Sonoran Desert).

[@johnguarino7826]

you said it right stupidity and lack of awareness or lack of caring for consequences of their actions

[@AdventureRyan]

Even just a general sense of responsibility will go a long ways, but it seem that even that is missing with some.

[@aceq361]

Whats the difference between drying them yourself and tking the ones that are already dry?

[@animeaunty]

Ace Q Bugs

[@AdventureRyan]

Drying in direct sun can destroy some of the nutrients. Also, like @Anime mentioned, bugs can get to them but also moisture and mildew and that sort of thing. The already dry stuff might also have died-cut off from the nutrient supply before it dried-so it has less flavor/nutrient/medicinal value.

[@aceq361]

@@AdventureRyan oh okay cool i live in az so when shtf its gunna be good to know how to forage in the desert

[@johnsavage7507]

Mold can also form on them after it rains.

[@serenapena7984]

Wo hpw do we know the palo verde is edible, are all varieities? Also what can u do with the what do u eat?

[@commentsiguess1263]

I had no idea the jojoba plant produced edible things! I always associated it with jojoba oil for my skin.

[@kurohikes5857]

They sound like space-snakes lol

[@AdventureRyan]

I’ve never heard a space snake, but I think you might be right.

[@UncommonNews777]

Can you recommend any books?

[@AdventureRyan]

Hey Doug! Here are a few that I've used quite a bit here in Arizona-: "Medicinal Plants of the American Southewest" and "Sonoran Desert Food Plants," both by Charles W. Kane; "Indian Uses of Desert Plants," by James W. Cornett, and "50 Common Edible and Useful Plants of the Southwest," by Western National Parks Association. Hope that helps a little.

[@odelloutdoors3424]

Doug Thompson I picked up Southwest Foraging by John Slattery and it seems very good.

[@UserUser-ll3nn]

Those are called Tunas. They are not ready

[@AdventureRyan]

Tunas, also called prickly pear. They are delicious when they are in their proper season and full ripe.

[@brucecorson9167]

Rookie

[@AdventureRyan]

Thanks for watching, Bruce! This is an older video, and I’ve learned a lot since then, but even so, I hope to never be anything but a “rookie” in terms of my explorations among Nature. I hope to always be curious enough to discover more.

[@jeimslopez8089]

Chícharas

[@UserUser-ll3nn]

Jojoba good to male soap/shampoo

[@AdventureRyan]

Yes! I’ve always wanted to try this. I think expressing the oils is quite labor intensive though. Have you ever done it?