EatTheWeeds: Episode 107: Cabbage Palm

[AirsoftSniperNInja]

I love this tree

[InsanePalmNinja]

Palms For years has been a Huge Food soruce thore out history.

[AresCassell]

Whoa. That anvil really is in the key of Bb. I'll be damned.

[EatTheWeeds]

@AresCassell My undergraduate degree is in music.

[AresCassell]

@EatTheWeeds Cool. I used to be a music major too. But now I'm trying to go for ecology. I do miss learning jazz guitar technique though. I'm so out of practice.

[gypsy1961]

He he "protected weed" goes with "illegal weed" Sometimes the GOV really makes no sense!

[0MrENigma0]

I guess it is not "Eat the Bugs" he he (speaking of the fly in the tea)

[EatTheWeeds]

It's quite tough... I don't know.

[onetraveler]

Deane the tender white ends of the seed spikes (if present) are nutty and also very good to eat raw as a snack while you fight your way to the heart. ;)

Indeed texture will tell you where to stop eating--I have eaten the new un-emergent fronds as well fried in bacon drippings.

mmmm one of my favorite forage items!

[EatTheWeeds]

Thanks. I didn't know that. I have found that the roasted kernels ground have a coffee-esque flavor.

[propergait]

You should make a book!

[EatTheWeeds]

I have the material. Need to find a publisher to say yes.

[godsend420]

thanks 4 the vid 5*

[pinkytm1]

The guy updated his website he no longer suggest climbing the tree and cutting the top off, he now suggest using dynamite tied to a long stick to blow it off.

[EatTheWeeds]

Ha ha... it is actually a site that supposedly is a collection of experts on a variety of topics. He got this one very wrong.

[ccm800]

such a gorgeous plant

[MadBadVoodo]

Five Stars!!

[NPSurvival]

I'm glad you are back to making videos!

[EatTheWeeds]

I really didn't notice I had taken two months off...live sometimes gets in the way of living....

[SoFlaPatriot]

So the "heart of palm" is not just the core of the tree but only the top portion? I have seen so many people remove them from their properties I might get the top and extract and prepare the heart. That would be interesting and delicious. Is that same section of many other palm types edible as well or is it very specific to Sable palms? Thanks.

[EatTheWeeds]

The heart and some of the pith below it are edible. Texture and taste is your guide. There's nothing toxic about the tree. Get the top three feet (without fronds) and peel it down (usually two feet is lighter and easier to carry.) You can also cut the end off the saw palmetto, seranoa repens, whch is smaller but essentially the same construction. And, since the saw palmetto has several terminal buds it does not ill the saw palmetto to take one.

[powerdbyfood1]

hahahaha!!!!! I love how you called the fly protein

[EatTheWeeds]

The darn things was doing the backstroke......

[liketadied]

i always enjoy your vids ...always!

[EatTheWeeds]

Thanks.... With each one I feel I could have done better... so I keep trying...

[guest2424]

Oh your right, I have seen hornet nests under palm leaves, but i never knew it was common. That might keep me from being stung some day, thanks.

[EatTheWeeds]

They are particularly common when the palm is hanging over water... I have seen many a hornets' nest in a palm frond over water ... and they are the big hornets as well. you know the 2-inch kind that hurt like hell... on land its usually the smaller ones but they can be miserable as well.

[ericladnier]

I've never seen a palm plant or tree of any kind without wasps. Same thing for the cross pipe on clothes line poles.  Are wasps edible???????

[Zarthalad]

I think your videos are wonderful. Your just a natural infront of camera and an excellent teacher.

[EatTheWeeds]

why thank you... my undergraduate degree is in education so I do look for ways to make information stick... as for the camera... I just pretend the camera is a friend I'm talking with...

[RackAttack8BC]

You are! To me and everyone else that's a fan! :-)

[johnu78]

The Discovery Channel should give you your own show!

[EatTheWeeds]

Thanks... now we have to convice them...

[johnu78]

That's the hard part.

I'm going to blast this video to all my friends, that should get it at least a few extra dozen views. Take care, John

[EatTheWeeds]

I appreciate that.... I'd like to think all in all the series has been good, or at least getting better. There are two videos I'd like to delete... well... actually several but perhaps I am being too picky. I've tried to change styles since number 100 but its a lot more work. I have three in the works, and the next one is going to be tough to make it visually interesting... got to think about that.

[johnu78]

I think all your videos are superb. I only wish they could be broadcast on cable.

[TheMudhole9]

awesome video...........very informative

[EatTheWeeds]

I appreciate the compliment... I wish I had more time to work with...

[cutlerylover]

You know you should really writer a book, I would certainly buy a copy and recomend it to everyone I know!

[EatTheWeeds]

I essentially have one written. It is getting a publisher interested that is difficult. They'll come around eventually. Actually, I had two books published in the early 90s but not about foraging.

[cutlerylover]

I see...May I ask what the other books were about?

[EatTheWeeds]

Trivia... look up "1001 Facts Somebody Screwed Up" and 1001 More Facts... etc...

[cutlerylover]

very interesting! Ill have to pick myself up a copy...

[FatGuyWithAKatana]

when i get to be a florida wildlife conservation law enforcement officer, i think i'll have to commandeer your knowledge from time to time if that's alright.

[EatTheWeeds]

Sure... life is a lot easier when one lands on the rigtht side of the law.

[kryptiea]

Man glad you are making vids again !! Alway great stuff Deane

[rangersquirrel1]

love the music during the segment where you're pulling the tree apart.

[EatTheWeeds]

Thanks. It's called dustbowl and came with the MAC video software.

[luvu2luvme]

green deane , is this also called the Torquay Palm? it looks fairly similar.

[EatTheWeeds]

No but the Cordyline australis does have edible parts.

[mdlman583]

Corn is easier

[EatTheWeeds]

Corn is a cultivated crop. My focus is wild foods.

[Plum369]

For the flour, can it be used alone like whole wheat, or is it best to mix it with wheat, rice or some other type of flour?

[EatTheWeeds]

It can be used alone but it is coarse. It is better mixed with whole grain and the like. The issue is efficiently grinding it. The coffee grinder breaks it down and then I mill it.

[tcbink]

seems quite a waste for the actual heart harvest, considering it kills the tree. It must be very tasty to go to all that trouble. Like your videos. Thanks. 5/5

[abyssquick]

It is a small amount of food. Most commercial canned palm hearts now come from the Brazilian species euterpe oleracea, which, when you kill the trunk, simply grows a new one from the base. Interestingly, euterpe oleracea = the Acai palm. You know, the $40-a-bottle "miracle" juice....?

[EatTheWeeds]

Unless they are clearing a lot, then it is utilizing it.

[abyssquick]

I had dozens of juvenile ones on my property when I first bought it 2 years ago. Maybe only 2-3 years old. Saw palmetto and cabbage palm. All became salad. Didn't know at the time it was protected... but these plants were quite small. The buds were underground.

[EatTheWeeds]

Young ones are by far the easiest to gather. I can't believe sites that say climb the tree and cut the top off.

[abyssquick]

Yeah; it's just such a ridiculous suggestion. Can't imagine doing that.

[EatTheWeeds]

I see you like maca. There is a north american relative. Its root can be used like horseradish. I don't know what it would be like roasted or the like.

[abyssquick]

Yes; I have heard of the other lepidium species. Have yet to encounter one, but would love the opportunity!

[EatTheWeeds]

Lipidum virginicum is the local one. I use chopped leaves in salads and soups, leaves for spice and a nibble, the root ground and mixed with salt is a good substitute for horseradish. I've never tried roasting it. Maybe this spring I will.

[abyssquick]

Does it have that pungent smell? I did encounter something in the brassica family a few years ago... could have been a lepidium.

[EatTheWeeds]

Yes, it is distinctive....pungent.

[EatTheWeeds]

Thanks... you never know when you're going to be where there are some cabbage palm or someone needs to know about it.

[pastorgeorgec]

Much love to you Deane - I hope you have a wonderful thanksgiving.

Alas this video won't do me too much good as there are just not a plethora of palm trees up here in Pennsylvania :)

I loved the ending the look on your face is priceless.

[EatTheWeeds]

Thanks. It took me 28 videos to put it together, and I had to reduce the time laps from four minutes down to 33 seconds... as for the palm... I think owning a chain saw and befriending someone in the land clearning business is the easiest way to go. It is tasty one processed.

[desire4liberation]

nice vid