It is no secret that I did not give up animal products because I hated the taste of them. Nope, I often crave a fresh calamari along European seaside while watching the ships roll in, as I drown my starter in some lemon juice. It’s the rituals of food that bring me so much peace and happiness into my life. That is why I have taken my favorite dishes from around the world and created vegan versions. Because I can love a calamari and also not want to hurt animals, both can be true.
What is Hearts of Palm?
Hearts of Palm is typical purchased in can resting in brine. It is a vegetable harvested from the inner core of a juvenile palm tree. They soft, slightly sweet, and do a great job of taking on the flavors of their seasoning. You can enjoy them raw or cooked. Hearts of palm are also great for you- they are rich in amino acids and a great source of protein. They are low in fats, sugars, and overall calories. They are a great addition to any seafood inspired dish as they take on that light quality and texture of seafood.
Recipe Ideas with Hearts of Palm
Since these veggies can be delicious raw or cooked, they gift us with so much versatility in the kitchen. These are some of my favorite recipes I have created using them.
- Salad Topping: Slice them raw and sprinkle on a salad. You can also air-fry them like in this recipe to top on a simple salad. I love doing spinach, red onion, lemon juice, and cooked hearts of palm.
- Vegan Spanish Paella– Valencia inspired vegan seafood paella. Swimming in king oyster mushrooms, heart of palm, saffron, olive oil, and white wine. Hearts of palm are great as a seafood dish addition.
- Vegan Crab Dip- Vegan buffalo crab dip with the same kick and texture that you love. Filled with heart of palm and artichoke hearts, then baked and served with fresh bread or veggies. You will be making this over and over again!
- Vegan Crab Cakes- Maryland style crab cakes with a heart of palm substitute. All your favorite ingredients like dijon mustard, lemon juice, and worcestershire sauce. Heart of Palm makes a great vegan substitute for any seafood dish. Top then off with a remoulade sauce and some freshly chopped parsley.
“Put your heart, mind, intellect and soul even into your smallest acts. This is the secret of success.”
Swami Sivananda
