Hearts Of Palm

It is the soft core extracted from the trunk of three palm tree varieties: açai (Euterpe oleracea), peach palm (Bactris gasipaes Kunth), and juçara (Euterpe edulis). Because of predatory and illegal extraction, juçara hearts of palm, a native species of the Atlantic rainforest, is currently threatened with extinction, and should only be consumed if obtained from certified producers. Sold canned or jarred, packed in brine, hearts of palm can be consumed straight from the can or jar, without going through any preparation. Two ways they are commonly used: in salads, and sautéed with tomato, onions and seasonings to be used as a filling for savory pastries such as Empadinhas (double-crusted, savory mini pies). Currently, the most consumed variety in Brazil is the açai palm, produced in the Amazon.