The thorn tree (see Day #52)continues to be my least favorite tree here in South Africa. Although it does provide some dense shade, the thorns are super strong and sharp. However, in just the past few days I’ve noticed something new growing on the trees.
These new little curly things are young seed pods. They have the texture of a green bean and are just beginning to have seeds showing on the inside. Several teachers told me that they often will eat these pods when the pods are just a little younger (i.e., before the seeds begin to develop). In fact, while we were talking, one teacher reached up, plucked a pod from the tree and popped it into his mouth. He said the taste is a little more bitter once the seeds begin to grow. Otherwise, they will eat the pods both raw and cooked.
After the pods grow and the seeds fill out a bit, the pods will turn brown and fall to the ground. I am told that the local animals (goats, sheep) love to eat the fallen pods.
