Produce Briefs...
Orange Honeydew Melon
Oval-to-round and a delicious cross between a cantaloupe and a honeydew, the very fleshy juicy orangish-yellow pulp of the orange honeydew melon is encased in a hard very yellow matching rind.
White Corn
White corn is a sweet corn variety. Its ears are wrapped in tightly layered pale lime green to white husks. One ear of corn can contain up to 400 kernels growing in rows lengthwise.
Seasons/Availability
Baby Iceberg lettuce is available year round.
Current Facts
Baby Iceberg lettuce is simply Iceberg lettuce harvested at a young age. Baby Iceberg lettuce evolved out of a need to compete with pre-packaged lettuce mixes (konwn as the lazy mans lettuce) and newer lettuce varieties that began shaping trends in the late 20th century. Iceberg lettuce growers fighting for market share found that smaller heads of Iceberg lettuce could make their way onto menus alongside lettuces such as Mache, Red Oak and Butter types. The size of the lettuce singularily boosted Iceberg lettuce's popularity back into the mainstream.
Description/Taste
Baby Iceberg lettuce has three truly redeeming qualities. Its tightly bound and broadly shaped leaves are thick-walled and concentrated with more water than virtually any other green. What Baby Iceberg lettuce may lack in flavor it makes up for with its approachable size as well as its lip-smacking succulence and crunchiness. Outer leaves range in color from sea green to lime green while inner leaves range from pale yellow to a translucent white. All the leaves form a nearly perfect globular head.
Applications
Although the "wedge" salad began prior to Baby Iceberg lettuce, it is Baby Iceberg that now dominates as the star ingredient in the "wedge". One head can be split in half or quarters and simply be graced by the ubiquitous blue cheese dressing and bacon to become a satisfying and economically frugal first course. Other simple companion accoutrements include herbs such as basil and flat leaf parsley, tomatoes, shallots, hard boiled eggs, grilled chicken and a classic vinaigrette of olive oil, dried herbs and cider vinegar.
Geography/History
Iceberg lettuce received its name because of its original method of shipping. In the early 20th century, it was transported in ice in order to preserve its freshness. Prior to the name "Iceberg", its given name was Crisphead. In the mid-20th Century, Iceberg received a technological jolt to increase its value. Whirlpool Corporation developed controlled and modified atmospheres and packaging to give Iceberg lettuce a greater shelf-life and transportational endurance. This technological advance allowed for Iceberg lettuce to become perhaps the single most important commercial lettuce world wide.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Prado at Balboa Park Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| JR Produce | San Diego CA | 858-270-3857 |
| Alchemy Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-255-0616 |
| Inn at Rancho Santa Fe | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 800 843 4661 |
| Inn at the Park | San Diego CA | 619-296-0057 |
| Gingham | La Mesa CA | 619-797-1922 |
| Embassy Suites Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-239-2400 ext 700 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
| Commander Naval Air Force | San Diego CA | 619-556-1011 |
| Prado at Balboa Park Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| Pacific Beach Ale House | San Diego CA | 858-581-2337 |
| Zeca Trading Co. | San Diego CA | 619-410-1576 |
| Four Seasons Residence Club | Carlsbad CA | 760 603 3700 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Lauberge Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Top of the Market | San Diego CA | 619-234-4867 |
| Nine - Ten | San Diego CA | 858-964-5400 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| Eat at Recess LLC | San Diego CA | 619-508-7290 |
| Roy's San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-239-7697 |
| Crosby National Golf Club LLC | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-227-0172 |
| La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-7126 |
| Crab Catcher La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-454-9587 |
| Urbn Pizza | San Diego CA | 619-255-7300 |
| Gabardine | San Diego CA | 619-398-9810 |
| Red Door Restaurant & Wine Bar | San Diego CA | 619-295-6000 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Currant | San Diego CA | 619-702-6309 |
| The Wild Thyme Company | San Diego CA | 858-527-0226 |
| Crust Pizzeria | Carlsbad CA | 760-944-1111 |
| Bistro West | Carlsbad CA | 760-431-9195 |
| La Costa Blue Fire | Carlsbad CA | 760-930-7063 |
| US Grant Hotel Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-3121 |
| Prado at Balboa Park Banquets | San Diego CA | 619-744-3732 |
| Sheraton La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-453-5500 |
| Roy's La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-455-1616 |
| Baja Asiatio | Tijuana CA | 619-890-4448 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
| Bertrand at Mr A's | San Diego CA | 619-239-1377 |
| Vine Cottage | La Mesa CA | 619-465-0138 |
| Fish 101 | Encinitas CA | 415-308-5572 |
| Union Kitchen & Tap | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2337 |
| Paradise Point Resort Main Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
| Blue Point / Coastal Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-233-6623 |
| Del Mar Country Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-759-5500 x207 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 760-822-3593 sal |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Baby Iceberg lettuce. One
is easiest, three is harder.| My Cooking Hut |
|
Melon, Tomatoes, Mozzarella & Lettuce Salad |
| Sailu's Kitchen |
|
Mango Lettuce Salad |
| White on Rice Couple |
|
Bacon Lettuce Tomato (BLT) Spring Roll |
