Produce Briefs...
Italian Black Summer Truffles
Black summer truffles are more subtle than the winter variety. Shave truffle over cooked potatoes, toss with herbs and a shallot vinaigrette. Thinly shave truffle over scrambled eggs.
Spring Onions
Spring onions are most often utilized raw. The whole onion can be flash blanched and grilled, which brings out more the robust and sweet elements of the onions, and makes them a bolder pair for fish and meats
Grower
Lollo Rossa Lettuce is available year round.
There are four lettuce type classifications: crisphead, romaine, loose and butterhead. Lollo Rosso is a red loose leaf type of lettuce. Lollo Rosso can also be known as Lolla Rossa and Lollo Rossa due to gender confusion. Lollo Rosso's sister varieties are Lollo Biando and Lollo Verde.
Lollo Rosso forms a distinct compact rosette of blood violet fan-shaped leaves with a non-hearting pale green base. The leaves have a crisp, semi-succulent, hardy texture and ruffled tips. Lollo Rosso's flavor is bold, slightly bitter and nutty.
Loose-leaf lettuces like Lollo Rosso provide vitamins A and C, folate, and iron. In 1999, scientists at the University of Glasgow found that Lollo Rosso has 100 times more antioxidants than common lettuce. It also contains the antioxidant quercetin, which is believed to help prevent asthma and allergies by acting as a natural antihistamine.
Blend with other greens in salads, use as a bed for presentations, add to mixed greens, sandwiches. Garnish soups, proteins. Serve with chunks of bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Lollo Rosso is native to Italy. It is grown as a supplemental lettuce to mix with other lettuce's of varying textures and flavors. It thrives in cool seasons and requires fertile soil, warm days and cool nights. When harvesting, be sure the Lollo Rosso leaves are at least three inches in length and that an entire outer layer is plucked to encourage growth. Several harvests can be obtained from one plant. Once the central stem forms the plant is ready to bolt and the leaves will become excessively bitter.
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Seasons/Availability
Lollo Rossa Lettuce is available year round.
Current Facts
There are four lettuce type classifications: crisphead, romaine, loose and butterhead. Lollo Rosso is a red loose leaf type of lettuce. Lollo Rosso can also be known as Lolla Rossa and Lollo Rossa due to gender confusion. Lollo Rosso's sister varieties are Lollo Biando and Lollo Verde.
Description/Taste
Lollo Rosso forms a distinct compact rosette of blood violet fan-shaped leaves with a non-hearting pale green base. The leaves have a crisp, semi-succulent, hardy texture and ruffled tips. Lollo Rosso's flavor is bold, slightly bitter and nutty.
Nutritional Value
Loose-leaf lettuces like Lollo Rosso provide vitamins A and C, folate, and iron. In 1999, scientists at the University of Glasgow found that Lollo Rosso has 100 times more antioxidants than common lettuce. It also contains the antioxidant quercetin, which is believed to help prevent asthma and allergies by acting as a natural antihistamine.
Applications
Blend with other greens in salads, use as a bed for presentations, add to mixed greens, sandwiches. Garnish soups, proteins. Serve with chunks of bread dipped in olive oil and balsamic vinegar.
Geography/History
Lollo Rosso is native to Italy. It is grown as a supplemental lettuce to mix with other lettuce's of varying textures and flavors. It thrives in cool seasons and requires fertile soil, warm days and cool nights. When harvesting, be sure the Lollo Rosso leaves are at least three inches in length and that an entire outer layer is plucked to encourage growth. Several harvests can be obtained from one plant. Once the central stem forms the plant is ready to bolt and the leaves will become excessively bitter.
