Lettuce
Lettuce comes in many different shapes, sizes and colors.
Did you know:
- Lettuce is cool season annual that can be seeded in the spring as soon as the soil can be worked.
- Primarily used raw in salads, on sandwiches and for garnish.
- Leaf lettuces can be stored wrapped in a damp paper towel and then sealed in a plastic bag and stored up to 5 days.
- Lettuce is in the composite family, and therefore is a relative of daisies, chrysanthemums, and thistles
- It is an excellent source of vitamin A and lutein and low in calories.
Heirloom Varieties
- Romaine is a tall lettuce with rigid leaves that are tightly packed together. The most flavorful variety of lettuce.
- Crisphead lettuce is the most common variety of lettuce to find in the grocery store. Referred to as Iceberg lettuce most of the time.
- Butterhead lettuce is smaller than other lettuce varieties. This lettuce has a smooth, light, and a “buttery” flavor.
- Leaf lettuces are the most varied of the lettuce varieties. Colors can vary from red to dark green. This is the gardeners favorite type because it matures quickly once planted.
- Asian Red lettuce has lovely, bright red leaves with frilled edges. A loose leaf variety that is perfect for salads.
