miolo [de banana] or [ o caule de bananeira]

13:44 Sep 10, 2014 

Caracterizam-se por um caule suculento e subterrâneo (rizoma), cujo "falso" tronco (um pseudocaule) é formado pelas bainhas superpostas das suas folhas.
. . .
Estas, propagam-se assexuadamente a partir de brotos ou rebentos que nascem das socas da planta. As socas são obtidas a partir da remoção cuidadosa de uma parte do caule subterrâneo que contenha algum rebento e algumas raízes intactas, geralmente na base do pseudocaule.
http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bananeira
Here the 'caule' refers to the rhizome. I think the client needs to be consulted to know what they are talking about.

08:40 Sep 10, 2014 

When I read "inner core", I think of Earth's. Cores are "inner" by nature. I think it doesn't make much sense unless the core is subdivided into "inner" and "outer" cores. Unless I understood something wrong about this recipe, I'd remove the "inner". Good luck with the rest of your job!

08:28 Sep 10, 2014 

Thanks everyone, lots of really good information. I have learned a lot about banana trees. In the end, I put "remove the inner core of the stem of the banana tree".

19:46 Sep 9, 2014 

I think you already have enough comments and suggestions for a solution to your question.
From what I could find, I think the most appropriate and current translations for "miolo do caule de bananeira" are "banana stem pith" and "banana stem core" (as Ana suggests). Both expressions occur for the same thing, and both are equally common.
1. ("banana stem pith"; see images also): https://www.google.com/search?q="banana stem pith"&espv=2&bi...
2. ("banana stem core"; see images also): https://www.google.pt/search?q="banana stem core"&biw=1280&b...
3. ("banana stem pith" remedy): https://www.google.pt/search?q=banana stem pith home remedy&...
4. ("banana stem core" remedy): https://www.google.pt/?gfe_rd=cr&ei=71YPVILTIoes8we2vICwDg&g...
From the above, I give my agreement to Ana, on the understanding that both expressions occur for the same. You can choose.

18:15 Sep 9, 2014 

is somehwat like a "palmito", but from that part of the banana that hangs after the "penca", AKA banana blossom (it is probably not what Georgia is looking for, since she mentioned "caule"): http://www.applepiepatispate.com/filipino/banana-hearts-kini...

06:54 Sep 9, 2014 

I too am coming round to the idea that this soup is not made from bananas at all but from the banana tree stem? stalk? pith?

06:44 Sep 9, 2014 

As far as I know, the heart can be the central part of some vegetables, like artichokes, even though they're different from the palm as well. After seeing some photos, they do look a lot like the heart of palm, even though they're not exactly the same. But do they need to be in order to be called "heart". Are you sure this terminology isn't used mostly by bothanicists, but it's a bit more flexible when it comes to cooking? I honestly wouldn't know, I've never studied palms or banana trees--not for a day, not for 6 weeks ;)

06:32 Sep 9, 2014 

The pith of the banana stem is quite small. The banana actually has a pseudostem or "falso caule" consisting of tightly wrapped leaves. Its anatomy is very different from that of a palm. From what I just now read on the Internet, the leaves that constitute the stem can also be chopped up and cooked or fried.

06:26 Sep 9, 2014 

@Georgia, I am not Brazilian, but maybe I can help.
The "caule da bananeira" is the "plantain's stem".
The referred "miolo" is the "miolo do caule da bananeira"/"pith of the stem" or "plantain's pith of the stem".
I think all your text has nothing to do with bananas, is with the stem of the plantain only.
see links:
1.("Plantain’s pith of the stem"): http://www.medindia.net/alternativemedicine/ayurvedaanddiet/...
2. http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/banana.html#Other Uses
3. http://www.ehow.com.br/usos-caules-bananeira-lista_136364/
4. http://www.ehow.com/list_7361699_uses-plantain-stems.html