Lettuce is most commonly grown as a leaf vegetable which is used in salads and sandwiches.This plant has a height of about 6-12 inches and its leaves are mostly greenish in color. It has a life of 65-130 days from planting to harvesting. They are at their peak in summer whereas their growth becomes a little slow in winters.
It is also used in soups, sandwiches, wraps and burgers. It is a cool weather vegetable therefore store it unwashed in the refrigerator for not more than 3-5 days.
Is lettuce healthy?
Yes, lettuce has a very high nutritional value. It is perfect to lose weight and is rich in proteins. There is a white liquidy element present in lettuce which helps to treat insomnia as it has a very relaxing and sleep inducing property. Another major property of lettuce is that it can be eaten raw so all the micro nutrients that usually go away on cooking vegetables are retained in these leaves. It is a great source of vitamin A, vitamin K and potassium.
Types
Ice berg Lettuce: This type of lettuce is pale green in color and is very similar to cabbage. It has the least nutrients than all the other green salads.
Romaine Lettuce: This type of lettuce grew in Rome and thus is called Romaine lettuce. It has a dark color and is loaf shaped and has a very strong taste.
Leaf Lettuce: This type of lettuce is crispier and has more flavor than iceberg lettuce. These are leaves which form in a loose bunch rather than tight head.
Did you know?
Lettuce was first grown as a weed in the Mediterranean area and it is a member of sunflower family.
American consume around 30 pounds of lettuce every year.
Lettuce leaves that are light in color have less vitamins as compared to darker leaves.