Hearts of palm (palmito in Portuguese) are one of Brazil's most versatile and beloved ingredients. These tender, cylindrical white cores have a mild, slightly sweet, and pleasantly vegetal flavor that makes them extraordinarily adaptable in cooking. Brazil is the world's largest producer and consumer of hearts of palm.
How Brazilians Use Hearts of Palm
- As a pizza topping — Pizza de palmito is one of the most popular pizza varieties in Brazil.
- In pastry fillings — Chopped palmito mixed with cream cheese or catupiry is the filling for pastéis, empadas, and savory tortas.
- In salads — Sliced thinly and dressed with olive oil, lemon, and herbs.
- As a vegan crab substitute — Shredded hearts of palm have a stringy texture that mimics crabmeat when seasoned appropriately.
Buying and Storing
Hearts of palm are found in jars (preserved in brine) in supermarkets worldwide. Once opened, store covered in their brine in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.