In the classroom this week, the fourth and fifth graders watched a short film narrated by Mohave elders in which they speak about their relationship with the mesquite tree and the Colorado River. Some of us had heard of mesquite wood, prized for the flavor it imparts during the barbecuing process. Most of us had never tasted mesquite powder, which is ground from the tree’s dried legumes. The Mohave use mesquite to make cradles for newborns, to dye their hair, to keep warm, to provide shade, for food, and as part of their cremation ceremonies.
In the kitchen we made mesquite sweet potato and pepper tacos. The mesquite has a sweet, chocolatey taste and the flavor of the finished taco filling was reminiscent of Mexican mole. The photos below show just how capable our students are with all things culinary! No taco was the same as the next but all were devoured.
