When your tamarind tree pods are ready for harvest, you can eat them right away. At times, you may need to soak the pods to soften the outer layer for peeling. Once you peel the outer layer away, you can access the pulp within. This pulp surrounds the seeds and can be eaten raw or incorporated into many different dishes. You can eat the seeds themselves as well. However, they are often hard and are more enjoyable when you prepare them in some way.