Hearts of Palm Salsa

By: Lauryn Gladd

Serves: 2

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Hearts of palm are a widely untapped vegetable with a variety of health benefits. Out of curiosity, I tried this mysterious vegetable for the first time when switching up my salad order at Chopt. I was pleasantly surprised; the artichoke-like white vegetable added a delicious and slightly tart flavor to my salad. After doing some research, I learned that this underrated vegetable has many nutritional benefits. Hearts of palm are packed with important minerals like potassium, phosphorus, copper, and zinc (Preiato, 2020). Potassium, as an electrolyte, helps regulate blood pressure. Phosphorus promotes strong bones and teeth. Additionally, copper and zinc both aid in improving immune function. This powerful vegetable doesn’t stop there- it is also rich in plant compounds like polyphenol antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals as well as lower your chances of cancer, diabetes, and heart disease (Preiato, 2020). Hearts of palm also contain 17 different amino acids, making it a rich source of protein (Brennan, 2020).

Hearts of palm is a common salad staple, and can also serve as a sturdy meat or seafood substitute in other dishes. With summer just around the corner, I decided to implement this vegetable into a refreshing salsa. Since hearts of palm are found in (you guessed it) the core of certain palm trees, this recipe practically emits tropical vibes! Plus, the possibilities of this easy recipe are endless- turn it into a dip with chips, a spread on top of avocado or pesto toast, or add it to a salad. Enjoy!