54 



Specific Edible Seeds and Greens 



41. Palm Nuts 



In some types of palm nuts the kernels are eaten; in others 

 the flesh surrounding the seeds is edible either raw or cooked. 

 The "cabbage" consisting of the young tender leaves in the 

 center of the leaf cluster at the top of the trunk may be eaten 

 raw or cooked. The most important and abundant of the 

 Caribbean palms is the cocoanut palm. The meat of the cocoa- 

 nut is good to eat at all stages of growth. Cocoanuts lying on 

 the ground and sprouting fill with a solid white mass of flesh that 

 is good to eat. Of special importance is the "milk" of the 

 cocoanut which is a safe substitute for drinking water. There 

 are many kinds of palm trees commonly grown in all parts of the 

 Carribbean region. None is poisonous and almost all provide 

 some kind of food that may be eaten in an emergency. Various 

 types of palm nuts are shown in the above illustration. 



