Here is a company that imports them fresh.

Here is a link that might be useful: Fresh Hearts of Palm

I don't think it's a dumb question at all!!

and I don't know much about hearts of palm. never cooked with them, so i'm also intersted in any other info forum folks can share.

I can't answer your question about availability in the mid-Atlantic but we had some when we were living in Florida. We just went out to where they were clearing land for a subdivision and begged a few logs from near the top of the tree, I think. In fact, we gave a log to my DF and made him guess what it was for, lol. Used a chain saw to cut it open.

As I remember there was very little flavor, just that wonderful slippery, crisp texture. Most of the flavor comes from your salad dressing. I don't believe I ever cooked it.

I read that most of it is imported from Costa Rica. Wonder why they don't harvest it in Florida. It does kill the tree, but palm trees aren't exactly endangered.

I've never seen fresh Hearts of Palm. I like the canned ones though. Here is a salad that I use to make often. Haven't made it in a few years. Thanks for the reminder.

Home Cookin Chapter: Recipes From Thibeault's Table

Hearts of Palm Salad
====================
Source: Diane Clement

2 to 3 heads of Butter/Boston Lettuce
1 14 ounce can of Hearts of Palm, drained
3 Tablespoons chopped or julienned roasted red pepper
2 avocados, cubed or sliced

Dressing

3/4 cup Olive oil or salad oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
1/4 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
salt and pepper
generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice

Combine and shake well. This can be made up a few days in advance and refrigerated.
. Just before sering, tear the lettuce into bite-size bits and combine in
a salad bowl with avocado, roasted red epper and hearts of palm, sliced
1/4 inch thick. Pour just enough dressing to coat the greens.

After I did the original post I googled & found that:

1. They are fairly perishable & turn black quickly; don't know if this is before or after the outer covering is removed, but it seems to explain why they're not readily available.
2. There are places (seemingly in FL)that import & ship
3. Fresh ones are said to have more flavor. (At $16/lb + S/H, I doubt if I'll buy any just to find out)
4. The evironmentally correct way to grow them is to grow a certain type of palm to 6 ft & wait until 3 suckers shoot up before cutting down the original.

Thanks for everyone's input.

Here in Florida they are a protected tree also the State Tree.
Yes, if you can find someone that clears land you can get the tops.
Swap Cabbage is really good if you can find an old timer to cook it for you.
I had a recipe from my aunt but lost it and since we can't get the hearts any more I don't cook it.

When I was a kid (in Florida), my very progressive dad would cut HOP from the woods near our home. To me it was like his feeding us alligator tail, always something unique with him.

I consider eating heart of plams to be near cannibalism. A friend asked if I was removing any of the plams I have. When asked, she said she wanted the hearts. I hung up on that! What a waste of a beautiful plant.

I'm going through a bunch of posts I missed because of work, and came on this one about hearts of palm.

Wanda mentioned Swamp Cabbage, and here's a recipe that was at the site linked in rachelellen's post about HOP--looks kinda easy except for getting the pricey *fresh* HOP !

1 lb. fresh hearts of palm nuggets
Pinch o parsley
Big splash of olive oil
2 key limes or 1 lime
splash o white wine

Heat olive oil- get it REAL HOT! Cut palm nuggets into bite-size chunks, and sauté with shallots. Add white wine, lime juice, and parsley. Reduce heat, cook 5-10 minutes.

Smiles,
Sooz

Here is a google search link that is more like what my Aunt gave me. She also told me you could cook it in milk which is also good. It is a lot of work to get those hearts out for sure! Also I remember my Grandma said the best time to cut them was during the rising moon because that was when the juice rose to the top. I'm sure she knew what she was talking about.
http://www1.epinions.com/content_4975337604