Romaine Lettuce
Estimated Inventory, 24 ct : 126.25
This item was last sold on : 12/20/24
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.
| Smokin J's BBQ | San Diego CA | 703-314-1486 |
| Sabi Juice | Chula Vista CA | 619-971-8545 |
| Bernini's Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-454-5013 |
| The Hop Stop | Poway CA | 858-859-2669 |
| Pacific Cafe & Catering (Medical Cntr Dr.) | La Jolla CA | 619-808-4087 |
| SIE Culinary Management | San Diego CA | 858-964-8677 |
| Edgewater Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-7581 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| Marriott Courtyard Nolen | San Diego CA | 619-544-1004 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| Cross Roots | San Diego CA | 858-245-1678 |
| MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept | San Diego CA | 619-725-6478 |
| Ki's Kitchen Commissary | VISTA CA | 760-777-0700 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Bistro Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Nunu's Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-756-4009 |
| Park 101 | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-2217 |
| The Lab Restaurant | Oceanside CA | 619-861-8299 |
| WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
| Bayhill Tavern | San Diego CA | 858-288-6923 |
| Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| Manhattan of La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0700 |
| Bar Ella | San Diego CA | 858-808-2286 |
| Pitchers | San Diego CA | 858-472-1251 |
| Fish Market Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-232-3474 |
| Jack & Giulio's | San Diego CA | 619-294-2074 |
| Valentina | Encinitas CA | 207-522-1937 |
| Espadin | Temecula California | 951-383-5585 |
| The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
| Prey Brewing Company | Vista CA | 760-822-4226 |
| The Plot Express (Carlsbad) | Carlsbad CA | 760-445-6846 |
| Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
| The Crack Shack-San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-795-3299 |
| RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
| Sushi Kami | San Diego CA | 858-451-7799 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-487-1134 |
| Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Viejas Casino Ginger Noodle | Alpine CA | 702-401-0455 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
| Coronado Yacht Club | Coronado CA | 619-435-1848 |
| Vinya: Vino & Vinyasa | San Diego CA | 858-703-8101 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| Residence Inn Downtown Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-487-1200 |
| The Crack Shack Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa CA | 951-808-7790 |
| Blue Whale | La Jolla CA | 808-868-8639 |
| Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 619-417-9251 |
| Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina | San Diego CA | 619-921-4206 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Le Papagayo (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| College Cuisine - Kappa Delta | San Diego CA | 510-512-2213 |
| Miguel's Cocina Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 760-759-1843 |
| Prager Brothers (Hillcrest) | San Diego CA | 760-445-0831 |
| Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| Village Pizzaria | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Red Tail Catering | San Marcos CA | 858-605-8219 |
| Mavericks Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-999-0348 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Viewpoint Brewing Co. | Del Mar CA | 858-205-9835 |
| The Switchboard Restaurant 2024 | Oceanside CA | 760-279-6300 |
| Happy Medium SD | San Diego CA | 509-869-2279 |
| Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
| Monarch School (Nutrition Lab) | San Diego CA | 619-804-1766 |
| Whiskey Girl | San Diego CA | 619-236-1616 |
| Leucadia Pizza Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-530-2222 |
| Moxy San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-376-1850 |
| Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-277-9826 |
| The Common Grounds | San Diego CA | 714-317-7072 |
| Crust Pizzeria-Carmel | San Diego CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Fairplay | San Diego CA | 303-870-0065 |
| Urbn Pizza Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-255-7300 |
| Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| DS Catering Kitchen | Chula Vista CA | 619-703-9321 |
| Village Pizzeria Bay Side | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
| Bayside Landing | San Diego CA | 858-270-9200 |
| Barefoot Coffee Cafe | Solana Beach CA | |
| Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-861-4640 |
| 619 Spirits | San Diego CA | 509-701-9534 |
| Local Greens | Solana Beach CA | 858-504-0332 |
| The Local-Pacific Beach | San Diego CA | 858-263-7475 |
| College Cuisine-Pi Beta Phi | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
| Tavern at the Beach | San Diego CA | 858-272-6066 |
| Tap Room Beer Co. | San Diego CA | 619-539-7738 |
| Brigantine Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach CA | 619-591-1350 |
| Prager Brothers Artisan Bread | Carlsbad CA | 760-445-9536 |
| Single Fin Surf Grill | San Diego CA | 619-948-7873 |
| Sensations Salud | San Diego CA | 619-933-3489 |
| Peohes | Coronado CA | 619-437-4474 |
| Joya Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-255-5979 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| Kensington Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-684-0044 Fausto |
| Harbor View Hotel Ventures, LLC | San Diego CA | 619-239-6800 |
| Oscars Brewing Company | Temecula CA | 619-695-2422 |
| Uptown Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| SandBox Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-272-7263 |
| Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-902-4646 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| My Chef | San Diego CA | 916-217-0049 |
| San Diego Freedom Ranch | Campo CA | 619-478-5696 |
| Davanti Enoteca Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-237-9606 |
| Duke's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-1999 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| Miguel's Cocina Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-437-4237 |
| Lil Piggy's | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| Higher Grounds Coffee + Cafe | San Diego CA | 831-247-5395 |
| The Haven (Pizzeria) | San Diego CA | 619-964-3778 |
| Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
| Prager Brothers (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-704-8441 |
| Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
| Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
| Vogue Tavern | Chula Vista CA | 619-371-3322 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Belching Beaver Brewery - Pub 980 | Vista CA | 760-420-7764 |
| College Cuisine - Gamma Phi Beta | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
| Mission Bay Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-201-7551 |
| Convention Center Shell | San Diego CA | 619-954-3063 |
| Blind Lady | San Diego CA | 619-381-4475 |
| Peace Pies | San Diego CA | 619-618-6960 |
| The Shout House | San Diego CA | 619-231-6700 |
| Snooze - La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-483-5556 |
| Scrimshaw Coffee | San Diego CA | 951-663-2207 |
| Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
| Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| Ruth's Chris Steak House DT | San Diego CA | 619-233-1422 |
| Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
| Belching Beaver Brewery Tavern and Grill | Vista CA | 760-509-4424 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| The Kitchen at Torrey View | San Diego CA | 702-489-2129 |
| Turf Supper Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-6363 |
| Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Harvest Kitchen (Corp Lunch) | San Marcos CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Leucadia Pizza Point Loma | San Diego CA | 619-295-2222 |
| Vitality Tap - 1St Ave | San Diego CA | 619-237-7625 |
| Crafted @ Minerva's Cafe | La Jolla CA | 858-699-4129 |
| Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-735-3093 |
| Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
| Medium | San Diego CA | 713-724-3121 |
| Le Coq | La Jolla CA | 858-427-1500 |
| Eddie V's La Jolla - EV# 8511 | La Jolla CA | 858-459-5500 |
| Marriott Courtyard Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-260-8500 |
| Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
| Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Miguel's 4S Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-924-9200 |
| L Orangerie | Coronado CA | 619-571-3367 |
| Hash House A Go Go | San Diego CA | 951-764-0605 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| Ballast Point Rest. - Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-298-2337 |
| Q&A Oyster Bar & Restaurant | Oceanside CA | 858-245-3780 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| Belmont Park Draft | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
| Casa | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Romaine Lettuce. One
is easiest, three is harder.
