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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
Asparagus lettuce is medium to large in size, averaging 3-4 centimeters in diameter and 15-20 centimeters in length, and consists of dark green leaves resembling romaine lettuce atop a long, thick stem. The leaves are soft, pliable, and slightly wrinkled near the prominent midrib. The leaves at the top of Asparagus lettuce are tender with a mild flavor, while the leaves that grow along the stem can be tough and bitter and are often removed at harvest. The thick, pale green stems have a fibrous, outer layer and inside, the flesh is aqueous, delicate, and translucent green-white. Asparagus lettuce is crunchy, succulent, and juicy when fresh and has a flavor similar to celery, but with a stronger earthy tone. When cooked, the stem has a nutty, green flavor and smoky aftertaste with notes of bok choy and water chestnut.
Seasons/Availability
Asparagus lettuce is available in the spring.
Current Facts
Asparagus lettuce, botanically classified as Lactuca sativa var augustana, is varietal of lettuce that is a member of the Asteraceae family, along with artichokes, romaine, and butterhead. Also known as Chinese lettuce, Celtuce, Celery lettuce, and Stem lettuce, Asparagus lettuce is popular in Sichuan cooking and is known as Wosun in China. Predominately used for their fleshy stems, Asparagus lettuce is extremely versatile and can be used both raw and cooked in stir-fries, salads, and main dishes.
Nutritional Value
Asparagus lettuce is an excellent source of fiber, potassium, manganese, and vitamins A, B9, and C. It also contains small amounts of iron, magnesium, and some essential amino acids.
Applications
Asparagus lettuce stems are best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as stir-frying, grilling, roasting, boiling, and sautéing. They must be peeled before use, as their outer skin can be fibrous, tough, and bitter. Asparagus lettuce stems can be used fresh in salads, peeled in thin ribbons, or spiralized and used as a noodle substitute. When cooked, the stems retain their crunchy texture and have a flavor comparable to asparagus. They can be used in stir-fries, soups, slow-simmered stews, minced into wontons, or sautéed and tossed with sesame oil. Asparagus lettuce can also be pickled and is commonly served with rice porridge to create a salty, sweet flavor. The tender leaves at the top of the stems are steamed, stir-fried, or added to soups and pasta. Asparagus lettuce pairs well with chilies, spring onions, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, olive oil, Sichuan peppercorns, lemon, wood ear mushrooms, yams, pork, tofu, poultry, tomatoes, avocado, lotus root, cucumber, and walnuts. They will keep for a couple of days when the leaves are removed from the stem and stored separately in the vegetable crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
In traditional Chinese medicine, Asparagus lettuce is said to have cooling properties and is used to flush toxins and clear excess heat from the body. It is also common in China to pickle Asparagus lettuce and use the pickles to accompany congee, a popular rice porridge.
Geography/History
While the exact origins of Asparagus lettuce are unknown, it is thought to have originally come from the Mediterranean coast and was brought to China around the time of the Tang Dynasty 618-907 CE. The lettuce first appeared in the United States in the 1890s and was sold in seed form under the name Asparagus lettuce with little popularity. It was David Burpee, founder of Burpee Seed Company, who brought the vegetable to fame about fifty years later. After receiving Asparagus lettuce seeds from an American missionary in China, Burpee decided to rename the vegetable Celtuce, a combination of “celery” and “lettuce,” and began selling Celtuce seeds in the United States in 1942. Today Asparagus lettuce can be found in fresh markets in Asia and at specialty grocers and Asian markets in Europe and the United States.
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Asparagus Lettuce. One
is
easiest, three is harder.| Paleo Flourish |
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Ginger Apple Celtuce Paleo Stir Fry |
| China Sichuan Food |
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Stir-Fried Celtuce Stem |
| Soy, Rice, Fire |
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Celtuce Ribbon Salad |
Recently Shared
People have shared Asparagus Lettuce using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing 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.
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H-Mart
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 124 days ago, 3/05/20 
99 Ranch Market 大華超級市場
99 Ranch Market - Skyline Plaza
Near Daly City, California, United States250 Skyline Plaza Daly City CA 94015 650-992-8899 https://www.99ranch.com About 136 days ago, 2/21/20 
Santa Monica Farmers Market
Near Santa Monica, California, United StatesAbout 139 days ago, 2/19/20 Sharer's comments : Beautiful Celtuce from County Line Harvest 
H Mart Asian Supermarket
Near Hoboken, New Jersey, United StatesAbout 182 days ago, 1/07/20 Sharer's comments : Asparagus Letuce!! 
SeeWoo 泗和行
Near Upper Woburn PlaceEuston Road (Stop L), United KingdomAbout 240 days ago, 11/10/19 Sharer's comments : Asparagus lettuce 
Marina Food Market
Near Foster City, California, United StatesAbout 337 days ago, 8/05/19 Sharer's comments : Celtuce 
99 Ranch
Near Albany, California, United StatesAbout 339 days ago, 8/03/19 
Richmond New May
Richmond New May Wah Supermarket
Near San Francisco, California, United States707 Clement Street San Francisco CA 94118 415-221-9826 About 360 days ago, 7/13/19 
99 Ranch
99 Ranch Market - McKinley St
Near Riverside, California, United States430 McKinley St Corona CA 92879 951-898-8899 About 373 days ago, 6/30/19 
Gold Fortune Supermarket
Gold Fortune Supermarket
Near Cerritos, California, United States13321 Artesia Blvd Cerritos CA 90703 562-802-8888 About 380 days ago, 6/22/19 
Magnolia Farmers Market
Present Tense Farm
Near Seattle, Washington, United StatesMonroe, WA About 388 days ago, 6/15/19 Sharer's comments : Used predominantly for the stem, but don’t forget the leaves - both will add a bite! 
SeeWoo 泗和行
Near Upper Woburn PlaceEuston Road (Stop L), United KingdomAbout 437 days ago, 4/27/19 Sharer's comments : Asparagus lettuce stalks l 
H Mart
Near Poway, California, United StatesAbout 467 days ago, 3/28/19 
99 Ranch Market
Near San Diego, CA, United StatesAbout 469 days ago, 3/26/19 
H Mart
Near Poway, California, United StatesAbout 497 days ago, 2/26/19 Sharer's comments : Asparagus Lettuce spotted at H Mart. |
