Hearts of Palm Recipes (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to eat hearts of palm? ›

Hearts of palm can add a refreshing crunch when sliced and added to salads straight from the can, but they can also be seared, braised, roasted, grilled, and cooked in pretty much any way.

Fresh out of the can (you can eat them raw or cooked), hearts of palm have a slightly nutty, vegetal, and overall neutral flavor. They look a bit like logs of Korean rice cakes or strangely smooth mozzarella sticks, and appear quite firm but are tender-crisp in texture.

What Do Hearts of Palm Taste Like? Hearts of palm have a very mild flavor, similar to white asparagus or artichoke hearts. Their texture is solid and cruncy, but still delicate and easy to bite through.

Hearts are palm isn't known as a common allergen, but food allergies can sometimes occur with unexpected foods. 10 Possible symptoms include hives, shortness of breath, dizziness, weak pulse, or trouble swallowing. If you suspect an allergy to hearts of palm, see an allergist for testing and evaluation.

Half a cup of canned palm hearts contains 311 milligrams of sodium, which may not seem like a lot but covers 13% of your daily value of sodium. Because too much sodium in your diet can lead to issues such as hypertension (high blood pressure), you should be sure to read the label if you consume canned heart of palm.

If using canned or jarred hearts of palm, simply rinse them and cut the cylinders crosswise into small rings. After rinsing, they can be eaten straight on their own as a snack, added to salads, or used in recipes (see below).

Palmini is made 100% out of Hearts of Palm. Therefore, if you eat it straight out of the can, it will taste like Hearts of Palm with a softer texture. That being said, if you find Palmini too acidic, just soak it in your choice of milk for about 30 minutes.

The arduous procedure for harvesting them is a contributing factor to the high cost of the fresh produce. Hearts of palm have a look unlike any other vegetable, a dull off-white color cut into thin cylinders that are sold whole or sliced.

Fresh hearts of palm should be refrigerated immediately. Unused, tightly sealed portions can be stored for up to 2 weeks. Store cans or jars out of sunlight at room temperature. Once opened, use within 1 week.

Heart of palm is a food of low caloric value and also contains dietary fibers that promote digestion and preserve the feeling of fullness after each meal.

Is it OK to eat hearts of palm everyday? ›

Regularly eating hearts of palm may also have other health benefits. For example, they are rich in plant compounds such as polyphenol antioxidants. These compounds help control free radicals, which are unstable molecules that can lead to various diseases.

They're harder to overcook than super-soft zoodles. “Hearts of palm hold together well, resisting breakdown when cooked.” Follow the package directions, erring on the side of less time and sampling them like you would regular pasta. “Taste them as they cook until you find the right doneness for you,” Naar says.

However, since it's high in fiber, Shapiro says it might cause gas and bloating if you eat it in excess.

The Core of the Hearts of Palm Issue

Harvesting the core from a palm tree with only one stalk means the entire plant dies, leading to deforestation and destructive monocultures. In some cases, species of palm trees are reaching near extinction.

High in antioxidants

In turn, antioxidants may reduce your risk of certain conditions, such as cancer, diabetes, and heart disease ( 2 , 3 ). Diets high in polyphenols are also associated with reduced inflammation, which is thought to be a key factor in many of these ailments ( 4 , 5 , 6 ).

A person can eat heart of palm raw, but this is uncommon because this vegetable is highly perishable. Therefore, it is often boiled or otherwise processed immediately after harvesting. Heart of palm is incredibly versatile, and a person can add it to many dishes.