I’m not one to be overly dramatic (haha…no, seriously) about food, but holy-fried-middle-of-a-palm-tree-leaf, this is a tasty, tasty taco.
Uh, yeah. The guts of this taco are totally fried palm tree leaves. Wikipedia says so. Well, if we’re being technical, they’re actually the inner core of certain types of palm tree leaves, but either way, I had no idea that they were even a thing. Especially an edible thing.
Life changing. Not. Even. Kidding. So, this taco is a pretty darn close replica of my favorite taco at a local restaurant here in Kansas City called Taco Republic. I’ve been there many times before, and in fact they’re one of my new favorite places to eat. BUT, the only location is across town and not really conducive to a weekday lunch, so I don’t get to indulge as often as like. 
Last time I was there, I realized that there were only about four or five ingredients, and surely I could replicate it at home.
Brilliantly, wierdly simple.
Street Food: Hearts of Palm Tacos
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Serves 6
- Diet: Vegetarian, Omnivore
Description
Crispy fried hearts of palm tacos with creamy avocado and cilantro. A fun vegetarian twist on a classic!
Ingredients
- Canola oil
- 2 cups (473 ml) Panko bread crumbs
- 1 cup (237 ml) flour
- 1 cup (237 ml) buttermilk
- 3 eggs
- 1 can hearts of palm
- 2 medium avocados
- 1 handful cilantro
- 6-8 6-inch round white corn tortillas
- 1 cup (237 ml) mayonnaise
- 6 Tablespoons ketchup
- juice of a small lemon
Instructions
- Chop cilantro and set aside.
- Chop avocado and set aside. Sprinkle with lemon or lime juice to prevent browning if necessary.
- Open and drain hearts of palm.
- Chop hearts of palm into 1/2 inch pieces and set aside.
- Set corn tortillas out to bring to room temperature.
Prepare salsa golf
- In a small bowl, whisk together mayonnaise, ketchup, and the juice of a small lemon (1-2 tablespoons of juice) until completely combined. Set aside.
Set up a dipping station
- Set three large, flat bowls (or pie plates) on your workspace.
- Fill one dish with flour.
- Fill one dish with panko bread crumbs.
- In the third dish, whisk together eggs and buttermilk.
- In a large Dutch oven or cast iron skillet, heat oil to 375°F (190°C). Use a thermometer for best results.
Breading process
- Place several hearts of palm pieces into flour at a time. Toss to coat completely.
- Tap off excess flour, then move coated pieces to the egg wash. Coat completely with egg, then tap off excess egg mixture.
- Move to bread crumbs and toss to coat completely. Place breaded pieces aside.
- Repeat for all hearts of palm pieces.
Fry
- Once all pieces are breaded and the oil is at 375°F (190°C), carefully place hearts of palm into the hot oil.
- Fry for 2-3 minutes, or until light golden brown.
- Remove and place on a plate lined with paper towels.
Assemble
- Heat corn tortillas in the microwave until just warm.
- Lay tortilla flat.
- Top with a few pieces of hearts of palm (about 6-8 per taco), a few pieces of avocado, and a sprinkling of cilantro.
- Drizzle with about a tablespoon of the salsa golf.
Notes
- For extra crispy hearts of palm, double bread them: flour, egg wash, breadcrumbs, then repeat the egg wash and breadcrumbs process.
- To make this recipe vegan, substitute the eggs with 1/4 cup of flax eggs (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water per egg) and the mayonnaise with vegan mayonnaise.
- Leftover hearts of palm can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days; reheat in a pan or air fryer for best results.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Mexican-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 tacos
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 5
- Sodium: 400
- Fat: 25
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 18
- Carbohydrates: 30
- Fiber: 5
- Protein: 8
- Cholesterol: 100
Frequently Asked Questions
What do hearts of palm taste like in tacos?
Hearts of palm have a mild, slightly tangy flavor and a tender but meaty texture. When seasoned and seared, they pick up smoky, savory notes that work well as a taco filling.
Can I use canned hearts of palm for these tacos?
Canned hearts of palm work fine. Drain and pat them dry before cooking so they can brown properly in the pan. Fresh hearts of palm have a firmer bite, but canned is more widely available.
What toppings pair well with hearts of palm tacos?
A bright slaw with lime juice, pickled onions, and a creamy avocado or chipotle sauce all complement the mild flavor. Fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime finish them off nicely.
