Romaine Lettuce
Estimated Inventory, 24 ct : 126.55
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.
| Happy Medium SD | San Diego CA | 509-869-2279 |
| Kitchens For Good | San Diego CA | 619-450-4040 |
| Miguel's Cocina Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-437-4237 |
| Green Dragon Tavern & Museum | Carlsbad CA | 760-797-5579 |
| Viejas Casino Grove Steakhouse | Alpine CA | 800-295-3172 |
| Crafted @ Minerva's Cafe | La Jolla CA | 858-699-4129 |
| Barefoot Coffee Cafe | Solana Beach CA | |
| Leucadia Pizza Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-530-2222 |
| Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
| MCRD-Marine Corps Recruit Dept | San Diego CA | 619-725-6478 |
| Pitchers | San Diego CA | 858-472-1251 |
| Local Greens | Solana Beach CA | 858-504-0332 |
| Cocina de Barrio Point Loma | San Diego CA | 858-349-2313 |
| The Hop Stop | Poway CA | 858-859-2669 |
| La Jolla Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-454-9601 |
| Hotel La Jolla - Sea & Sky | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0261 |
| KI's | Encinitas CA | 760-586-8289 |
| Red Tail Catering | San Marcos CA | 858-605-8219 |
| Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Tap Room Beer Co. | San Diego CA | 619-539-7738 |
| Miguel's Cocina Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 760-759-1843 |
| Monarch School (Nutrition Lab) | San Diego CA | 619-804-1766 |
| Sabi Juice | Chula Vista CA | 619-971-8545 |
| Le Papagayo (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-944-8252 |
| The Shores | La Jolla CA | 858-459-8271 |
| College Cuisine - Gamma Phi Beta | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
| UCSD Food & Nutrition Department La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-761-1269 |
| Moxy San Diego Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-376-1850 |
| Crust Pizzeria Solana Beach | Solana Beach CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Ballast Point Rest. - Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-298-2337 |
| Mission Bay Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-201-7551 |
| Madison | San Diego CA | 619-822-3465 |
| Stone Brewing-Liberty Station | San Diego CA | 619-269-2100 |
| Medium | San Diego CA | 713-724-3121 |
| Bali Hai Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-222-1181 |
| Casa | San Diego CA | 619-581-3003 |
| Belmont Park Draft | San Diego CA | 858-228-9283 |
| Prey Brewing Company | Vista CA | 760-822-4226 |
| Bar Ella | San Diego CA | 858-808-2286 |
| The Shout House | San Diego CA | 619-231-6700 |
| Turf Supper Club | San Diego CA | 619-234-6363 |
| Miguel's 4S Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-924-9200 |
| Leucadia Pizza Point Loma | San Diego CA | 619-295-2222 |
| Convention Center Shell | San Diego CA | 619-954-3063 |
| Saint Mark Golf and Resort, LLC | San Marcos CA | 508-320-6644 |
| 619 Spirits | San Diego CA | 509-701-9534 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Grill | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Single Fin Surf Grill | San Diego CA | 619-948-7873 |
| Urbn Pizza Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-255-7300 |
| Bayhill Tavern | San Diego CA | 858-288-6923 |
| Peohes | Coronado CA | 619-437-4474 |
| Viejas Casino Ginger Noodle | Alpine CA | 702-401-0455 |
| Polaris Supreme | San Diego CA | 619-390-7890 |
| Prager Brothers (Hillcrest) | San Diego CA | 760-445-0831 |
| Campfire | Carlsbad CA | 760-637-5121 |
| Viejas Casino Banquets | Alpine Ca | 619-295-3172 |
| Tavern at the Beach | San Diego CA | 858-272-6066 |
| Tavola Nostra Pizzeria E Cucina | San Diego CA | 619-921-4206 |
| Ki's Kitchen Commissary | VISTA CA | 760-777-0700 |
| Manhattan of La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-459-0700 |
| The Local-Pacific Beach | San Diego CA | 858-263-7475 |
| Portside Pier (Ketch Tasting Deck) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-487-1134 |
| Hash House A Go Go | San Diego CA | 951-764-0605 |
| The Kitchen at Torrey View | San Diego CA | 702-489-2129 |
| Pacifica Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-792-0505 |
| Vogue Tavern | Chula Vista CA | 619-371-3322 |
| Duke's La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-454-1999 |
| Pacific Cafe & Catering (Medical Cntr Dr.) | La Jolla CA | 619-808-4087 |
| Belching Beaver Brewery Tavern and Grill | Vista CA | 760-509-4424 |
| Rancho Santa Fe Golf Club | Rancho Santa Fe CA | 858-756-1582 |
| Harbor View Hotel Ventures, LLC | San Diego CA | 619-239-6800 |
| San Diego Freedom Ranch | Campo CA | 619-478-5696 |
| Prager Brothers (Encinitas) | Encinitas CA | 760-704-8441 |
| The Crack Shack-San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-795-3299 |
| Portside Pier (TopSail) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Cross Roots | San Diego CA | 858-245-1678 |
| Sisters Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-228-6822 |
| Brigantine La Mesa | La Mesa CA | 619-465-1935 |
| College Cuisine - Kappa Delta | San Diego CA | 510-512-2213 |
| Village Pizzaria | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| The Haven (Pizzeria) | San Diego CA | 619-964-3778 |
| Blind Lady | San Diego CA | 619-381-4475 |
| The Original 40 Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-206-4725 |
| Fairplay | San Diego CA | 303-870-0065 |
| Panama 66 | San Diego CA | 619-206-6352 |
| Espadin | Temecula California | 951-383-5585 |
| Beaumont's | San Diego CA | 858-459-0474 |
| Salt & Whiskey | San Diego CA | 619-544-1886 |
| Higher Grounds Coffee + Cafe | San Diego CA | 831-247-5395 |
| Prager Brothers Artisan Bread | Carlsbad CA | 760-445-9536 |
| Q&A Oyster Bar & Restaurant | Oceanside CA | 858-245-3780 |
| Jack & Giulio's | San Diego CA | 619-294-2074 |
| Kensington Cafe | San Diego CA | 619-684-0044 Fausto |
| Vitality Tap - 1St Ave | San Diego CA | 619-237-7625 |
| Davanti Enoteca Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-237-9606 |
| Joya Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-255-5979 |
| Giuseppe Restaurants & Fine Catering | San Diego CA | 619-436-7006 |
| My Chef | San Diego CA | 916-217-0049 |
| Lil Piggy's | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Third Corner Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 619-417-9251 |
| The Lab Restaurant | Oceanside CA | 619-861-8299 |
| Royal Polaris Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-226-8030 |
| SIE Culinary Management | San Diego CA | 858-964-8677 |
| Blue Whale | La Jolla CA | 808-868-8639 |
| Marriott Courtyard Old Town | San Diego CA | 619-260-8500 |
| Bishop School | San Diego CA | 858-459-4021 |
| Ruth's Chris Steak House DT | San Diego CA | 619-233-1422 |
| Vinya: Vino & Vinyasa | San Diego CA | 858-703-8101 |
| RoVino Rotisserie + Wine | San Diego CA | 619-972-6286 |
| Village Pizzeria Bay Side | Coronado CA | 619-522-6890 |
| Mavericks Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-999-0348 |
| Barrel & Board | San Diego CA | 619-902-4646 |
| Green Acres Campus | San Diego CA | 858-450-9907 |
| SandBox Pizza | San Diego CA | 858-272-7263 |
| Bayside Landing | San Diego CA | 858-270-9200 |
| The Crack Shack-Encinitas | Encinitas CA | 858-735-3093 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
| Bernini's Bistro | La Jolla CA | 858-454-5013 |
| Jake's Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-755-2002 |
| Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 951-756-9357 |
| Sushi Kami | San Diego CA | 858-451-7799 |
| Urban Kitchen Catering | San Diego CA | 619-276-8803 |
| Residence Inn Downtown Gaslamp | San Diego CA | 619-487-1200 |
| Whiskey Girl | San Diego CA | 619-236-1616 |
| DS Catering Kitchen | Chula Vista CA | 619-703-9321 |
| The Crack Shack Costa Mesa | Costa Mesa CA | 951-808-7790 |
| Fish Market Downtown | San Diego CA | 619-232-3474 |
| Brigantine Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-4166 |
| Marriott Courtyard Nolen | San Diego CA | 619-544-1004 |
| Viewpoint Brewing Co. | Del Mar CA | 858-205-9835 |
| Harley Gray Kitchen and Bar | San Diego CA | 619-840-7000 |
| Brigantine Pt Loma | San Diego CA | 619-224-2871 |
| Park 101 | Carlsbad CA | 760-434-2217 |
| Smokin J's BBQ | San Diego CA | 703-314-1486 |
| Oscars Brewing Company | Temecula CA | 619-695-2422 |
| Brigantine Imperial Beach | Imperial Beach CA | 619-591-1350 |
| Olive Tree Marketplace | San Diego CA | 619-224-0443 |
| Coronado Yacht Club | Coronado CA | 619-435-1848 |
| Scrimshaw Coffee | San Diego CA | 951-663-2207 |
| College Cuisine-Pi Beta Phi | San Diego CA | 310-634-2371 |
| L Orangerie | Coronado CA | 619-571-3367 |
| Harvest Kitchen (Corp Lunch) | San Marcos CA | 619-709-0938 |
| Belching Beaver Brewery - Pub 980 | Vista CA | 760-420-7764 |
| Uptown Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| The Switchboard Restaurant 2024 | Oceanside CA | 760-279-6300 |
| Snooze - La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 858-483-5556 |
| WineSellar & Brasserie | San Diego CA | 858-450-9557 |
| Crust Pizzeria-Carmel | San Diego CA | 858-212-8751 |
| Eddie V's La Jolla - EV# 8511 | La Jolla CA | 858-459-5500 |
| Brigantine Poway | Poway CA | 858-486-3066 |
| Pacific Coast Grill | Solana Beach CA | 858-794-4632 |
| The Common Grounds | San Diego CA | 714-317-7072 |
| Bread & Cie Café | San Diego CA | 619-683-9322 |
| Peace Pies | San Diego CA | 619-618-6960 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| Le Coq | La Jolla CA | 858-427-1500 |
| Brigantine Del Mar | Del Mar CA | 858-481-1166 |
| The Plot Express (Carlsbad) | Carlsbad CA | 760-445-6846 |
| Nunu's Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-756-4009 |
| Valentina | Encinitas CA | 207-522-1937 |
| Ulivo | San Diego CA | 619-962-7345 |
| The Santaluz Club Inc - Bistro Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-759-3150 |
| Edgewater Grill | San Diego CA | 619-232-7581 |
| The Plot | Oceanside CA | 422-266-8200 |
| Great Maple Hillcrest | San Diego CA | 619-255-2282 |
| Trattoria I Trulli | Encinitas CA | 760-277-9826 |
| Sensations Salud | San Diego CA | 619-933-3489 |
| Searcher Sportfishing | San Diego CA | 619-861-4640 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Romaine Lettuce. One
is easiest, three is harder.
