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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
Boston lettuce is medium to large in size and rounded in shape with loose, wavy, cupped leaves. The broad, soft, green outer leaves are thick and frilled at the edges, encompassing more tightly bound, yellow tinted leaves in the center of the head. Together they form a rosette pattern of leaves that are wide and have a smooth, silky consistency with a uniform crunch. Boston lettuce is tender and crisp with a sweet, nutty, and mildly astringent flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Boston lettuce is available year-round, with a peak season in the summer through fall.
Current Facts
Boston lettuce, botanically classified as Lactuca sativa, is an annual plant of the Asteraceae or sunflower family and is one variety of dozens of butterheads lettuces. Also known as a limestone lettuce variety, which is lettuce that was successfully cultivated in limestone-rich soils, Boston lettuce is recognized by its compact rosette shaped heads and large, easily separated, buttery leaves. Boston lettuce is favored by home gardeners for its tolerance to heat and is grown for its smooth texture and crisp flavor for use in wraps, soups, and salads.
Nutritional Value
Boston lettuce contains calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium and is also a good source of vitamins A and K.
Applications
Boston lettuce is best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as braising or boiling. Predominately used as the principal ingredient in salad, its textures and subtle flavors are a perfect canvas for savory and bold, or bright, fruity companion ingredients. It is also commonly layered in sandwiches or used as a wrap for tuna or chicken. In addition to fresh preparations, Boston lettuce can be cooked and transformed into an earthy and sultry ingredient when slowly braised or added to a bowl of simmering soup, achieving a level of caramelization when paired with the right ingredients such as butter, rich meats, and chicken stock. Boston lettuce pairs well with citrus, tomatoes, radishes, chiles, fried and soft-boiled eggs, fresh or aged goat cheese, ricotta, cottage cheese, sheep's milk cheese, champagne, balsamic vinegar, cream-based dressings such as yogurt or buttermilk, dried fruits, apples, pears, melon, roasted chicken, bacon, shellfish, smoked trout, and herbs such as basil, cilantro, and dill. It will keep 3-4 days when stored in a loosely closed container and stored in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Bibb lettuce is named for its original cultivator, John Bibb. In 1865 he grew his special Bibb lettuce in Kentucky's alkaline soil and began giving the lettuce to his neighbors in town in 1870. The lettuce quickly grew in popularity, and the townspeople began to call the greens “Bibb’s lettuce” after John Bibb’s last name.
Geography/History
Bibb lettuce was believed to have been created and grown in Frankfort, Kentucky by John Bibb and was commercially cultivated on a large scale in the United States in the early 1900s. Today Boston lettuce, a specific variety of bibb lettuce, is widely found at national supermarkets, farmers markets, and specialty grocers in the United States, Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
| Blade 1936 | Oceanside CA | 760-231-1456 |
| Food of Joy | San Diego CA | 858-531-6616 |
| Juniper & Ivy | San Diego CA | 858-481-3666 |
| Ballast Point Restaurant - Little Italy | San Diego CA | 619-298-2337 |
| Communal Coffee | San Diego CA | 619-920-7887 |
| Bleu Boheme | San Diego CA | 619-255-4167 |
| Scrimshaw Coffee | San Diego CA | 951-663-2207 |
| Ketch Grill and Taps | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Ebullition Brew Works & Gastronomy | Carlsbad CA | 760-842-1046 |
| Bekker's Catering | San Diego CA | 619-287-9027 |
| Mesa College | San Diego CA | 619-388-2240 |
| Glenbrook Health Center | Carlsbad CA | 760-704-1000 |
| The Switchboard Restaurant and Bar | Oceanside CA | 760-807-7446 |
| The Clean & Colorful Kitchen | San Diego CA | 858-775-9005 |
| Craft and Commerce (Sekscobra Inc.) | San Diego CA | 619-962-5935 |
| Sushi Ota | San Diego CA | 858-270-5047 |
| Cucina Sorella | San Diego CA | 619-281-4014 |
| Farmer and The Seahorse 2020 | San Diego CA | 303-877-5052 |
| Qero | Encinitas CA | 760-753-9050 |
| Portside Pier (Brigantine) | San Diego CA | 858-268-1030 |
| Vista Valley | Vista CA | 760-758-2800 |
| Cove House | La Jolla CA | 858-999-0034 |
| Pacific Regent La Jolla | San Diego CA | 858-597-8008 |
| Carte Blanche Bistro & Bar | Oceanside CA | 619-297-3100 |
| Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-550-5412 |
| Curated Leu | Encinitas CA | |
| Stake Chophouse & Bar | Coronado CA | 619-522-0077 |
| Milton's Delicatessen, Grill & Bakery | Del Mar CA | 858-792-2225 |
| Rustic Root Brunch | San Diego CA | 619-702-5595 |
| Half Door Brewing | San Diego CA | 619-232-9845 |
| The Village | San Diego CA | 619-729-8515 |
| Uptown Tavern | San Diego CA | 619-847-4688 |
| Herb & Wood | San Diego CA | 619-955-8495 |
| Mavericks Beach Club | San Diego CA | 858-999-0348 |
| Coast Catering | Escondido CA | 619-295-3173 |
| The Haven | San Diego CA | 619-964-3778 |
| Lucky Bolt | San Diego CA | 917-969-9500 |
| Marriott Coronado | Coronado CA | 619-435-3000 x6335 |
| Shorehouse Kitchen Carlsbad | Carlsbad CA | 858-663-9916 |
| The Loma Club | San Diego CA | 619-222-4653 |
| Lodge at Torrey Pines Main | San Diego CA | 858-453-4420 |
| Cucina Enoteca | Del Mar CA | 619-239-2222 |
| Reata Glen | Ladera Ranch CA | 949-545-2250 |
| Seasalt | Del Mar CA | 858-755-7100 |
| Viewpoint Brewing Co. | Del Mar CA | 858-205-9835 |
| Pitchers | San Diego CA | 858-484-3777 |
| Orens Fine Foods | San Diego CA | 510-910-2298 |
| Now Sushi | San Diego CA | 480-429-6666 |
| Peohes | Coronado CA | 619-437-4474 |
| Hotel Republic San Diego | San Diego CA | 619-398-3100 |
| The Glen at Scripps Ranch | San Diego CA | 858-444-8500 |
| Shoreside Support Boat | San Diego CA | 704-277-7929 |
| Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District | El Cajon CA | 619-644-7585 |
| Shorehouse Kitchen | La Jolla CA | 858-459-3300 |
| Bernardo Heights Country Club | San Diego CA | 858-487-4022 |
| JSIX American restaurant & Bar | San Diego CA | 619-531-8744 |
| Brigantine Escondido | Escondido CA | 760-743-4718 |
| The Country Club Of Rancho Bernardo | San Diego CA | 858-451-9100 |
| Fairmont Grand Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-314-1975 |
| Vagabond Sportfishing Inc. | San Diego CA | 619-993-9575 |
| Cal A Vie | Vista CA | 760-945-2055 |
| Terra Restaurant | San Diego CA | 619-293-7088 |
| Park Hyatt Aviara | Carlsbad CA | 760-448-1234 |
| Catania La Jolla | La Jolla CA | 619-295-3173 |
| Cowgirl Q | San Diego CA | 858-586-1717 |
| Miho Gastrotruck | San Diego CA | 619-867-4295 |
| Wine Vault & Bistro | San Diego CA | 619-295-3939 |
| The Flavor Chef (Catering) | Vista CA | 619-295-3172 |
Recipe Ideas
Recipes that include Boston Bibb Lettuce. One
is
easiest, three is harder.| Bitchin Camero |
|
Steak & Tofu Lettuce Wraps with Bulgur Salad |
| A Mingling of Tastes |
|
Zucchini and Braised Lettuce Tart with Tapenade |
| The Paleo Mom |
|
Lettuce Soup |
