Vegan Sushi Rolls w/ Hearts of Palm (California Rolls)
Trying to eat a plant-based diet but worried about missing out on old favorites like sushi? Good news, you can have your sushi and eat it too! In fact, the creativity and possibilities are endless when making sushi using plants…and these vegan sushi rolls featuring hearts of palm won’t disappoint!
Sushi intimidated me for years…it wasn’t until the sheer boredom of COVID lockdown that we attempted to make vegan sushi rolls at home. And boy are we excited to add this cuisine to our repertoire!
Family Sushi Night with vegan sushi rolls!
Homemade vegan sushi makes an awesome family meal because rolls are easy to customize and vegan sushi ideas are endless. Plus, it’s a SUPER FUN activity! You can let your kids pick their favorite ingredients (my daughter likes avocado and cucumber while my son goes for sweet potato, avocado, and carrot), and then assist them in the rolling process.
And while the kid sushi fillings may be a bit more basic, vegan sushi fillings are endless! Some of my favorite “adult vegan maki rolls” include my vegan California roll with sriracha tofu, my garlicky caramelized shiitake and asparagus, spicy watermelon rolls by It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken, and of course these hearts of palm roll California rolls!
What are Hearts of Palm?
Hearts of palm are the edible inner core of certain species of palm trees. They taste most similar to artichoke hearts or asparagus: mild in taste and flaky in texture. Hearts of palm benefits include their culinary versatility and nutrient density.
While fresh hearts of palm are hard to find, canned hearts of palm can be found in any grocery store in the canned vegetable section.
Hearts of Palm Nutrition Facts
Hearts of palm are remarkably healthy, as they are low in calories, carbs, and fat, and high in protein and fiber. Which makes them a nutrient-dense replacement for fish, not to mention a more sustainable choice! A 3.5 ounce serving has:
- Calories: 36
- Protein: 4 grams
- Fat: less than 1 gram
- Carbs: 4 grams
- Fiber: 4 grams
- Potassium: 38% Daily Value (DV)
- Phosphorus: 20% DV
- Copper: 70% DV
- Zinc: 36% DV
Why are Hearts of Palm a good substitute for fish?
Hearts of palm make a perfect vegan fish substitute because they are flaky in texture, similar to cooked fish, crab, and other shellfish. This vegan sushi roll recipe blends hearts of palm with horseradish, a common seafood condiment. The result is a vegan maki filling that is light and flaky, with a taste reminiscent of the sea! Think of it as a vegan crab sushi roll or vegan California roll.
Hearts of palm fish: a whole food plant-based fish alternative!
If you like this hearts of palm sushi recipe…
…you may also like my Vegan California Rolls with Sriracha Tofu.
Vegan Sushi Roll Filling with Hearts of Palm
Equipment
- small food processor
Ingredients
- 3 stalks hearts of palm, drained & dried from can
- 2 tbsp vegan mayonaise
- 1-2 tsp sriracha pending your spice preference
- 1/4 cup diced celery
- 3 tbsp diced onion
- 1 tsp prepared horseradish prep
- 1/2 avocado optional
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds optional
Instructions
- Ensure hearts of palm are relatively dry- I like to squeeze them over the sink to get the water out.
- Combine hearts of palm, vegan mayo, sriracha, celery, onions, and horseradish in small food processor.
- Blend until chopped finely but not mushy consistency.
- Scoop 1 large spoonful of filling onto rice/seaweed, and spread evenly across. Add avocado slices (optional).
- Roll sushi. Cut. Top with sesame seeds if desired.
- Filling will make about 3 rolls, depending on scoop size.
I hope you enjoy these hearts of palm vegan sushi rolls! If you try them out, please rate and review in comments below!
For more tasty, light meal ideas, check out:
Cheers!
-Jenn
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We made the hearts of palm rolls and loved them! Thanks for the recipe!
Jenn had me over to try out her vegan sushi. I was skeptical because I love non-vegan sushi, but it was totally awesome!
haha thanks Kathy!!!