BigDaddyTX - "How do you get the palm hearts from the palmettos?"

First realize that the palms often grow in huge clumps that build up a deep layer of party decomposed fronds. Getting into such clumps be aware that snakes and scorpions often live in the packed clumps of palmettos. Also the trunk often has thorn-like projections that can hurt.

A good machete, sturdy leather gloves and boots are valuable. The critters usually take off as their nest is disturbed but keep an eye out for them. I persuade any snakes that stay to leave by poking them with my walking stick. Haven't had to kill one yet.

Palmettos can grow to well over 20' but in most areas they are much shorter. I tend to harvest ones shorter than 3' tall because your going after the growing tip at the top of the trunk. The total height is usually about 6' or so with fronds. Cut off the fronds leaving the trunk. I sometimes leave a bit of frond at the top because it helps to grip the heart and keep my grubby hands off it. Slice down along the trunk. Deep enough to fully remove the brown and green rough exterior and exposing the pale interior meat. Once fully skinned you grab the top and chop it off at the base. You completely destroy the palm getting the heart.

The heart can be eaten raw, sliced thin and tossed in a salad, baked, roasted or boiled. Cooked the heart turns an odd color but it still tastes good.

In a survival situation harvesting palmetto can fill two needs. The heart as food and the fronds removed as part of a lean-to for shelter. The heavier leaf stems make decent stakes. The butts close to the palm-like leaf can be sliced and bent over a crude framework and lashed with a piece of the leaf. Across once and up one bar spaced every 10" or so. Well shingled the roof/wall will shed water and block a considerable amount of wind.

The fronds also contain fiber that makes decent rope.