Swamp Cabbage
Source of Recipe
David
Swamp Cabbage
Swamp cabbage is an old-time Florida cracker favorite vegetable
obtained from the heart of the cabbage palm (S. palmetto), which is
the official state tree of Florida. The plant is known by such other
names as palmetto palm, sable palm, and swamp cabbage tree.
The cabbage palm reaches a height of 80-90 feet at maturity, although
most are 10-20 feet tall. It is at the 8-10 foot height (including
fronds) that the swamp cabbage is cut from it. To remove the central
core (heart), the outer leaf stems are cut away and the trunk is
severed about 3 feet below the bud. Fronds have a woody base, called a
boot, which wraps around the trunk.
At this stage, the untrimmed swamp cabbage weighs 10-15 pounds. At
preparation time, boots are stripped from the 3-foot long section
until the tender, closely wrapped central core is reached.
The central core is the part called swamp cabbage. It is cylindrical
in shape, creamy white in color, and composed of layers of undeveloped
boots (leaves) with the consistency, tenderness, and texture of
regular cabbage. The trimmed edible product may weigh 5-10 pounds.
The state of Florida required one to obtain, (not easy to do) a permit
to harvest. The tree is protected. Best to just substitute cabbage
from your grocer. It won't have the smoky taste, but it will do just
fine in this recipe with all the other melds of flavors.
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