This tasty Brazilian snack has its origins in the Portuguese pastelões, large savoury pies, with several different fillings, and a strong medieval influence. In the 19th century, small pastelões – then known as “empadas de caixa” – were served to Catholics on the days that they had to abstain from meat (beef and pork). They were usually made with chicken. It was only in Brazil that they finally got the now popular hearts of palm version. All our heart of palm (or "palmito") is sustainably sourced and a delicious vegetarian option, encased in a mouth watering baked flaky pastry.