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Leaf lettuce is a loose-leaf vegetable that is easy to grow and available in most markets. It has a soft texture and can be used in salads or lightly wilted. It is high in calcium and other minerals and should be eaten within a few days of harvesting. When choosing lettuce, look for crisp specimens with no discolored or slimy spots.
Leaf lettuce is a lettuce with an open growth habit, forming loose leaf clusters rather than a tight head. There are a number of varieties, including red leaf lettuce and butter lettuce. There are many uses for this vegetable, ranging from salads to taco fillings. It is very easy to grow and is readily available in most markets, for people who don’t want to grow their own lettuce.
Some other lettuce varieties include head lettuce, which forms tightly rolled heads of leaves, and ribbed lettuce, which forms an elongated cluster of leaves, as is the case with romaine lettuce, a popular cos variety. These lettuces have different tastes, textures, and nutritional values, and they also ripen at different rates. Many people like to grow a mixed lettuce garden with different varieties so their diets are different, but because leafy lettuces grow so quickly and easily, they often make up the bulk of a garden.
As lettuce grows, it forms a loosely arranged rosette of irregularly shaped and sized leaves. The leaves are often very light and rough, with a wrinkled surface and a soft, almost velvety texture. They are not as crunchy and crunchy as some head lettuces, but are instead softer and more delicate. In addition to being washed and raw, the leaves can also be lightly wilted for warm salads.
The nutritional value of leafy lettuce varies by cultivar. Like other leafy greens, it can be high in calcium and other minerals, especially when grown on rich organic soil. It also tends to be very brittle and should be eaten within a few days of harvesting before it shrivels or becomes slimy. Like other lettuces, the leaves should always be washed before eating to remove any dirt or insects.
When choosing lettuce on the market, buyers should look for crisp specimens with no discolored or slimy spots. Leaf lettuce will keep best if it still has roots, because the roots can be wrapped in a wet towel or left in a dish of water. If no roots are present, cooks should shake the lettuce to remove water droplets and wrap it in plastic until they intend to eat it. It can be used in salads, sandwiches and a variety of other foods.
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