We were first presented to swamp cabbage in a church cookbook shared with a staff member by a hometown buddy. Swamp cabbage stays one of the most distinct to date.

We found in our research that swamp cabbage is generally not made from cabbage at all. It’s a meal that is instead made from hearts of palm, and its roots trace back to Native Americans. With time, Floridians have actually adapted the initial meal to one that’s simply as flavorful however a bit more modest, and stretches hearts of palm with cabbage.

Swamp cabbage is smoky thanks to sausage and bacon. The hearts of palm have a meaty texture and briny artichoke-like flavor. Learn how to make overload cabbage, and delight your loved ones when you share this dish and its unique story.

What Is Swamp Cabbage?
Swamp cabbage is a plant that’s likewise known as a sabal palm or cabbage palm tree. It simply likewise occurs to be Florida’s state tree, and you will find it in almost every part of the state, as it grows throughout the Southeast and parts of Mexico.

Tall in the sabal palm, just below the leaves, is a heart, the heart of the palm, and it has actually been eaten for generations in all sorts of dishes, such as salads and the eponymous overload cabbage, obviously.

Eaten alone, it’s a basic supper that’s reinforced by the bacon and sausage or other meats utilized to build up flavor. It’s often served as a side meal, too, along with fried fish, boiled shrimp, or any number of Florida favorites.

There’s even a Swamp Cabbage Festival held every year in LaBelle, Florida (about 30 miles east of Fort Myers), if your interest leads you to would like to know and try so much more.

Ingredients for Swamp Cabbage
This component list is concentrated on taste and fantastic texture. Here’s what you’ll require:

Thick-cut hickory-smoked bacon: The additional flavor from the hickory-smoking process pays off with intense taste in the last dish.
Hickory-smoked sausage: Go for Conecuh as it has amazing depth of taste. If you can’t discover this range, any smoked sausage will work. Simply make sure to cook the pieces well to get as much flavor as possible.
Green bell pepper, yellow onion, and celery: You may acknowledge this as the holy trinity. These aromatics develop the dish’s taste and include some crunch and texture.
Cabbage: Chopped cabbage will soften quickly.
Hearts of palm: Look for the canned range, and be sure to drain it, then piece.
Diced tomatoes: The canned tomatoes include a little bit of sweet taste and a tender bite to contrast the heart of palm and cabbage.
All-purpose spices: We like the brand Everglades. It’s a mixture of garlic, onion, and other spices.
How To Store Swamp Cabbage
Cool leftovers in an airtight container as much as 3 days. You can likewise make this dish ahead of when you plan to serve it, and store it approximately 3 days. Just reheat in a frying pan, including some stock if needed for wetness.

How To Serve Swamp Cabbage
This dish can be a whole meal with a wedge of cornbread. You’ve got meat and plenty of vegetables. If you’re looking to round out a plate, try some fried catfish, grilled Royal Reds, or baked crab cakes.
Active ingredients
8 oz. thick-cut hickory-smoked bacon, sliced (6 to 7 slices).

1/2 oz. hickory-smoked sausage, sliced into 1/2-in.- thick pieces (about 1 cup) (such as Conecuh).

1 small (6 oz.) green bell pepper, sliced (about 1 cup).

1 small (8 oz.) yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup).

2 large (1 oz. each) celery stalks, sliced (about 1/2 cup).

2-lb.

1 (14-oz.) can hearts of palm, drained and sliced.

1 (14 1/2- oz.) can diced tomatoes.

1/4 cup faucet water.

1 1/4 tsp. all-purpose flavoring (such as Everglades).

Directions.
Cook bacon:.
Prepare bacon in a large Dutch oven over medium-high, stirring occasionally, up until fat is rendered and bacon is a little crisp on edges, about 5 minutes.
Cook sausage:.
Include sausage, and cook, stirring sometimes, until gently browned and bacon is crisp, 2 to 3 minutes.
Include vegetables:.
Include bell pepper, onion, and celery; cook, stirring frequently, till somewhat softened, about 4 minutes.
Add cabbage, hearts of palm, and tomatoes:.
Stir in cabbage, hearts of palm, tomatoes, water, and spices; bring to a simmer over medium-high.
Cook while covered:.
Cover, and cook, stirring sometimes, up until cabbage is cooked through and tender, about 10 minutes.