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Produce Briefs...
Ramps
The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.
Description/Taste
Romaine lettuce is medium to large in size with an elongated shape and stiff, upright leaves. The thick heads are loosely connected to a central blanched base and the leaves, averaging 10-15 centimeters in length, are broad with many folds and creases. The outer leaves are dark green with a prominent white central rib, and as the leaves grow smaller in the center, they become paler in color almost fading to white. Romaine lettuce is crisp, succulent, and crunchy with a mild, slightly bitter taste.
Seasons/Availability
Romaine lettuce is available year-round, with a peak season in the winter.
Current Facts
Romaine lettuce, botanically classified as Lactuca sativa, is believed to be one of the oldest varieties of lettuce in the world and is a member of the Asteraceae family. Also known as Cos lettuce in England, Lattuga Romana in Italian, and Laitue Romaine in French, Romaine lettuce is one of the few varieties that grow upright, is tolerant of heat, and is commonly sold in whole heads or as hearts, which means the outer leaves are removed leaving only the tender, pale inner leaves. Romaine lettuce has been used by civilizations for thousands of years and is still popular worldwide, favored for its mild taste, firm stalks, and crunchy texture.
Nutritional Value
Romaine lettuce an excellent source of dietary fiber, vitamins A, C, and K, thiamin, folate, iron, potassium, and manganese. It is also a good source of riboflavin, vitamin B6, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and copper.
Applications
Romaine lettuce is best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as braising, grilling, and lightly boiling. The leaves can be used fresh and torn for salads, or they can be used as a dipping vessel for sauces, dips, and fillings. They can also be layered on sandwiches, burgers, and in wraps for added crunch. In addition to fresh preparations, Romaine lettuce can withstand high heat which makes it suitable for grilling, braising with cooked vegetables and meat, adding to soups, and chopping and mixing into stir-fries. Romaine lettuce pairs well with bulgur wheat, parsley, garlic, chives, tomatoes, roasted red pepper, citrus, avocado, apples, pears, black olives, capers, grilled steak, poultry, bacon, tuna, smoked fish, feta cheese, blue cheese, parmesan cheese, and hummus. The leaves will keep up to one week when wrapped in paper towels to absorb excess moisture and stored in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Romaine lettuce has been used in cultures all over the world in both culinary and medicinal applications. In Egypt, there are ancient paintings on tomb walls that depict lettuce with pointed, elongated leaves and many experts believe it is a variety of Romaine. The lettuce was also served to Persian kings and used as an edible spoon for dips and spreads like tabbouleh in Syria. In addition to culinary use, in Rome, the milky liquid produced from the outer leaves was believed to have restorative properties and was used by many ancient healers to reduce symptoms of diseases and illness. Today Romaine is still a widely used variety and is most well-known for its use in the Caesar salad.
Geography/History
Romaine lettuce is native to the Mediterranean and the Middle East, growing since ancient times, and its two most recognizable names are derived from the papal gardens in Rome and the Aegean Islands of Cos. Originally considered a weed in the Mediterranean, Romaine lettuce is documented as being one of the oldest known cultivated varieties, having been grown for at least 5,000 years. Today Romaine lettuce is widely found at supermarkets, farmers markets, and specialty grocers in Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa, North America, and South America.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| NuNu's Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-756-4009 |
| Tender Greens-Broadway | San Diego CA | 619-807-1394 |
| Eco Caters Organics | San Diego CA | 619-997-8792 |
| Blue Water Seafood Market and Grill | San Diego CA | 619-497-0914 |
| Cucina Sorella | San Diego CA | 619-281-4014 |
| Horton Grand Hotel | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
| Chateau Lake San Marcos | San Marcos CA | 760-471-0083 |
| Urban Solace | San Diego CA | 619-295-6464 |
| Medina family | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Urge American Gastropub - RB | San Diego CA | 858-673-8743 |
| Sheraton Carlsbad - 7 Mile | Carlsbad CA | 760-827-2400 |
| Project Wildlife | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Crust Pizzeria-Carmel | San Diego CA | 858-350-3400 |
| Duke's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-1999 |
| Sorority Cuisine - Achio | San Diego CA | 310-402-6195 |
| SandBox Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-273-7263 |
| San Diego Freedom Ranch | Campo CA | 619-478-5696 |
| Juice Wave | San Diego CA | 240-246-5126 |
| Mitch's Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-222-8787 |
| Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
| Triton Boat | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 619-417-9251 |
| San Diego Humane Society | San Diego CA | 619-299-7012 |
| Village Pizzeria Bay Side | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Blue Water Seafood Ocean Beach | San Diego CA | 619-308-6500 |
| Beesalt Balcony | Del Mar CA | 972-567-2396 |
| Lauberge Del MarLauberge | Del Mar CA | 858-259-1515 |
| Handlery Hotel & Resort | San Diego CA | 619-298-0511 |
| Delta Zeta | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| InterContinental Banquet Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
| Lucky Bolt | San Diego CA | 917-969-9500 |
| Eve-Creations Wellness | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2560 |
| Trattoria Positano | Cardiff CA | 760-320-111 |
| Sorority Cuisine - Kappa Alpha Theta | San Diego CA | 619-339-1924 |
| JSIX American restaurant & Bar | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
| Waters Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 x4 |
| Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-943-6800 |
| Just Call Us Volunteers | San Diego CA | 858-461-3674 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 x212 |
| The Fantail Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-398-8258 |
| Churchill's Pub and Grille | San Marcos CA | 760-471-8773 |
| Surf Side Cuisine (Deli) | San Diego CA | 619-507-0891 |
| Miguel's Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-298-9840 |
| Lil Piggy's | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| The Roxy Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2899 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 858-273-8440 |
| Con Pane Rustic Breads & Cafe (Liberty Station) | San Diego CA | 619-224-6136 |
| La Costa Glen South | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Donovan's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-450-6666 |
| Tipsy Crow | San Diego CA | 619-338-9300 |
| Vi At La Jolla Village | San Diego CA | 858-646-7700 |
| Baja Betty's | San Diego CA | 619-269-8510 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| La Costa Glen North | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1436 |
| Baci | San Diego CA | 619-275-2094 |
| The Glass Door | San Diego CA | 619-544-0164 |
| Sublime Ale House-San Marcos | San Marcos CA | 760-510-9220 |
| Striders | San Diego CA | 619-363-7166 |
| Puesto-Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-233-8880 |
| The Bier Garden | Encinitas CA | 760-632-2437 |
| Searcher | San Diego CA | 619-226-2403 |
| Barrel Republic Pacific Beach | San Diego CA | 858-270-9922 |
| BeerFish | San Diego CA | 619-363-2337 |
| BFD-Big Front Door | San Diego CA | 619-255-4100 |
| Miguel's Cocina Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-437-4237 |
| The Compass | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-1900 |
| NOAA Ship Reuben Lasker | San Diego CA | 541-272-9098 |
| Miguel's Cocina Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 760-759-1843 |
| JRDN Restaurant | San Diego CA | 858-270-5736 |
| Buon Appetito | San Diego CA | 619-238-9880 |
| Fishery | San Diego CA | 858-272-9985 |
| Kensington Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-640-0494 |
| Brothers' Provisions | San Diego CA | 855-850-2767 |
| Enclave | Carlsbad CA | 808-554-4219 |
| The Greenspot Salad Co. | San Diego CA | 858-587-2585 |
| The Patio on Goldfinch (Mission Hills) | San Diego CA | 619-501-5090 |
| WaterBar | San Diego CA | 619-308-6500 |
| Belching Beaver Brewery Tavern and Grill | Vista CA | 760-509-4424 |
| Eddie V's Prime Seafood | San Diego CA | 619-615-0281 |
| Barrel Republic Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 619-204-5945 |
| Aztec Shop Catering | San Diego CA | 619 594-3576 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Belching Beaver Brewery - Pub 980 | Vista CA | 760-732-1415 |
| Mavericks Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-999-0348 |
| K&L Neighborhood Eateries | San Diego CA | 619-964-3778 |
| Le Papagayo | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| WN Specialty Produce | ||
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-543-2764 |
| Quality Coast Inc | San Diego CA | 619-443-9192 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| Bread and Barley | Encinitas CA | 619-840-6489 |
| Mothers Ocean Beach | San Diego CA | 619-221-8100 |
| One Door North | San Diego CA | 858-232-4220 |
| Catamaran | San Diego CA | 858-488-1081 |
| The Shout House | San Diego CA | 619-231-6700 |
| Peace Pies | San Diego CA | 619-618-6960 |
| Kairoa Brewing Company | San Diego CA | 858-735-0051 |
| Vitality Tap - 1St Ave | San Diego CA | 619-237-7625 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-451-9100 |
| Boathouse Harbor Island | San Diego CA | 619-291-8011 |
| Donovan's Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-237-9700 |
| Alpha Project - Newton Shelter | San Diego CA | 619-542-1877 |
| Domaine Baran | San Diego CA | 858-952-2949 |
| Bolt Brewery | San Diego CA | 858-382-3104 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| Decoy Dockside Restaurant | San Marcos CA | 760-653-3230 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Gamma Phi Beta | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
| Samaya Boat | San Diego CA | |
| Salvatore's | San Diego CA | 619-544-1865 |
| The Greenspot Salad-4sRanch | San Diego CA | 619-865-0386 |
| Primavera Ristorante | Coronado CA | 619-435-0454 |
| Carnitas Snack Shack Harbor Dr. | San Diego CA | 619-295-3173 |
| MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept | San Diego CA | 619-725-6478 |
| Hotel Indigo | San Diego CA | 619-906-4805 |
| Cass Street Bar & Grill | San Diego CA | 858-414-2625 |
| Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
| Local Greens | Solana Beach CA | 858-504-0332 |
| Common Theory | San Diego CA | 858-707-7016 |
| Bobs Specialty Meats | Escondido CA | 760-839-6850 |
| Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
| Chateau La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-459-4451 |
| St. Paul's Plaza | Chula Vista CA | 619-239-6900 |
| Brigantine Corp | San Diego CA | 858 926 9644 |
| Marriott Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-3000 x6335 |
| Bivouac Ciderworks | San Diego CA | 816-809-5193 |
| Blue Point / Coastal Cuisine | San Diego CA | 619-233-6623 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Homestead Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-209-0149 |
| Village Pizzaria | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Miguel's Eastlake | Chula Vista CA | 619-656-2822 |
| San Diego Humane Society Oceanside Campus | Oceanside CA | 760-757-4357 |
| Solterra Winery + Kitchen | Encinitas CA | 760-230-2970 |
| Mimmos Italian Village | San Diego CA | 619-239-3710 |
| Victoria Mahdion | San Diego CA | 619-987-3304 |
| Miguel's 4S Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-924-9200 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Romaine Lettuce. One
is easiest, three is harder.Recently Spotted
People have spotted Romaine Lettuce using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Spotting allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
Marketplace Foods
Slippery Hill Farm
Wisconsin, United States994 15th Ave, Barron 54812 About 178 days ago, 8/22/18 Spotter's comments : Romaine Lettuce spotted at Marketplace Foods. Locally Grown Fat Cat Organics, Cullman AL Near Cullman, Alabama, United States About 183 days ago, 8/17/18 First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op Near Corvallis, Oregon, United States About 257 days ago, 6/04/18 Spotter's comments : Romaine Lettuce spotted at First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op. First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op Near Corvallis, Oregon, United States About 355 days ago, 2/26/18 Spotter's comments : Romaine Lettuce spotted at First Alternative Natural Foods Co-Op. |
