Lettuce: A Crisp Classic with a Rich History

Lettuce is more than just the foundation of salads—it’s one of the oldest and most popular vegetables in home gardens and kitchens around the world. Today, we’re taking a closer look at lettuce: its fascinating history, a bouquet of fun facts, and a delicious, easy recipe to help you enjoy its fresh crunch at home.

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A Brief History of Lettuce

Did you know lettuce (*Lactuca sativa*) has been cultivated for over 4,500 years? Ancient Egyptians revered lettuce as a symbol of fertility and used it as both food and medicine. The Greeks and Romans embraced lettuce too—Julius Caesar was said to be a fan! By the Middle Ages, lettuce’s role as a salad staple spread across Europe and eventually made its way to the Americas with early colonists.

Today, you’ll find many varieties at your local market or seed catalog, from crisp Iceberg and romaine to tender Bibb and leafy green oakleaf.

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Fun Facts About Lettuce

1. A Nighttime Snack: Lettuce contains a small amount of a natural, sleep-promoting compound called lactucarium. In ancient times, people believed eating lettuce at night would help them sleep!

2. Space Salad: Lettuce was one of the first crops grown on the International Space Station, giving astronauts a taste of homegrown freshness in orbit.

3. Record Breaker: The heaviest lettuce ever grown weighed over60 pounds!

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Recipe: Simple & Fresh Lettuce Wraps

Move over, salads! Lettuce is perfect for wraps—fresh, crunchy, and perfect for filling with bold flavors. Here’s a classic recipe to try:

Ingredients:

-1 head butter lettuce (or your favorite tender variety), leaves separated and washed-1/2 pound ground chicken or turkey (or firm tofu for a vegetarian option)

-2 garlic cloves, minced-1 tablespoon fresh ginger, minced-2 green onions, chopped-1 cup mushrooms, finely chopped-1 small carrot, grated-1 tablespoon soy sauce-2 tablespoons hoisin sauce-1 teaspoon sesame oil-1 tablespoon olive oil or vegetable oil- Salt and pepper to taste- Optional toppings: chopped peanuts, cilantro, lime wedges**Instructions:**

1. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat.

2. Add garlic and ginger; sauté about1 minute until fragrant.

3. Add ground chicken/turkey (or tofu). Cook, breaking up meat, until cooked through (about5-7 minutes).

4. Stir in mushrooms, carrot, green onions, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper. Cook for another3-4 minutes until vegetables are tender and everything is well mixed.

5. Remove from heat. Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

6. Spoon filling into lettuce leaves, roll or fold, and top with peanuts, cilantro, or a squeeze of lime if desired.

7. Serve immediately and enjoy!

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Share with Us!

Have you grown lettuce before or have a favorite lettuce recipe? Drop your tips, photos, or family stories in the comments. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of growing experience, your knowledge makes our community even more vibrant.

Happy planting—and happy eating!

The REDDO’s Cultivation Team