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How do I know when Little Gem lettuce is ready?
The lettuce will be ready as soon as a firm heart has formed, you can test to see if they ready for harvesting by gently squeezing the top of the plant. Pull the whole plant from the ground and then cut off the root and lower leaves. Making sure you compost the roots and lower leaves.
Is little gem the same as romaine lettuce?
Also called 'Sucrine' or 'Sugar Cos', 'Little Gem' is an English heirloom that is a small variety of romaine, but has the succulent sweetness of a butterhead. The glossy-leafed heads are a petite, 6" tall and 4" wide—the perfect size for an individual dinner salad.
Is Little Gem lettuce the same as butter lettuce?
Little Gem lettuce is a cross between romaine and butter lettuce—creating a luscious, buttery, and crisp green.
Can Little Gem lettuce be eaten raw?
How to use little gem lettuce. Cut the leaves in half and put them whole or roughly chopped into a green salad if you're wanting raw food. Otherwise it's a good idea to put little gem lettuce on the grill or in the frying pan.
Should you wash little gem lettuce?
Wash and trim your little gem lettuce and either pat dry with a towel or spin dry in a salad spinner then shred and add to a large mixing bowl.
What is the healthiest type of lettuce?
Butter lettuce Also called Boston or bibb lettuce, butter lettuce is the most nutritious of the lettuces on this list. The leaves are higher in folate, iron, and potassium than iceberg or leaf lettuces.
What is another name for Little Gem lettuce?
SucrineLittle Gem lettuce, botanical name Lactuca sativa, is an annual plant of the sunflower family, Asteraceae, also called Sucrine (French for sugar), or Sugar Cos. Little Gem lettuce was developed from Romaine lettuce and a butterhead type lettuce.
What is the best tasting lettuce?
Also known as “cos,” this long leaved salad green is crisp and crunchy, and usually has a mild, or just slightly bitter taste....RomaineCimarron. ... EZ Serve. ... Forellenschluss. ... Little Caesar. ... Little Gem. ... Parris Island. ... Paris White. ... Vivian.
What is the tastiest type of lettuce?
Romaine. If you've ever had a Caesar salad, you've had romaine, also known as cos lettuce. With a long, upright head of crisp, pale green leaves sporting crunchy midribs, romaine—particularly the lighter leaves toward the center (the heart)—is more flavorful than some other varieties.
How do you prepare little gem lettuce?
MethodHeat a drizzle of olive oil in a griddle or frying pan over a high heat.Slice the little gem lettuces into half, and then half again.When the pan is hot, add the lettuce to the pan and fry for 3 to 4 minutes on each side, so that they begin to char.Transfer to a serving plate.More items...
Is Little Gem lettuce good for sandwiches?
Its compact leaves make a beautiful whole-leaf salad that's also easy to eat. Little Gem lettuce also makes an attractive setting for fish and meat dishes and provides a convenient leaf size and texture for sandwiches and lettuce wraps.
How do you cut little gem lettuce for salad?
0:041:04Quick Tip: How To Cut Romaine Lettuce - Natasha's KitchenYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipNow we take each half and cut out the core in a triangle shape. Then we cut each half down the longMoreNow we take each half and cut out the core in a triangle shape. Then we cut each half down the long way about two times lettuce. And just chop it from top to bottom.
What is the another name of romaine lettuce?
In North American English it is known as "romaine" lettuce and in British English the names "cos" lettuce and "romaine" lettuce are both used. Many dictionaries trace the word cos to the name of the Greek island of Cos, from which the lettuce was presumably introduced.
What lettuce is similar to romaine?
Substitutes For Romaine Lettuce You can use Iceberg lettuce which is less flavor but crisp like romaine. OR - Use butter head lettuce (Bibb or Boston) which is softer but flavorful. OR - Leaf lettuce like oak leaf or Lollo rosso. OR - For a green with a little bite, but firm leaves try curly endive.
Are there different types of romaine lettuce?
Romaine can be found in varieties that are green, red, bronze, or speckled. It's fairly easy to find romaine in the supermarket – but usually only the green variety.
What is Little Gem lettuce used for?
Little Gem lettuce originated in France and is a cross between romaine and butter lettuce. These sweet, crunchy miniature heads of lettuce are full of nooks and crannies that make great little pockets for capturing salad dressing. Little Gems can be eaten whole, sliced, fresh, grilled or even pan-fried.
What color is gem lettuce?
While most gem lettuce is green, there is a red gem variety that adds a little extra interest to the plate. This lettuce's leaves vary from brownish to burgundy or purple, usually darkening toward the heart.
Where did gem lettuce originate?
Gem lettuce is an old variety, originally native to France and Spain, and includes some heirloom types of lettuce.
What is the best lettuce to add to salad?
Gem lettuce can be a good addition to fresh green salads.
How long can you keep gem lettuce?
You may be able to keep gem lettuce for longer than a week, but it will tend to lose its crispness and may develop discolored spots. Lettuce that is no longer fresh enough for salads may still work on the grill, in braised dishes, or as lettuce soup.
How long can you keep lettuce in the refrigerator?
This lettuce should be stored in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator inside a plastic bag or lettuce keeper for up to one week.
How big is a head of lettuce?
The lettuce itself produces a compact but loose head about 5 inches (13 cm) long by 3 inches (8 cm) wide, with crisp green leaves that have a crinkled or ruffled edge. Many cooks halve or quarter this tiny lettuce for single-serving salads, and then top it with cheese, dressing, or meats.
Can you substitute red gem lettuce for sweet gem lettuce?
The taste of red gem lettuce is similar to that of the green variety, and you can substitute it for Little Gem or Sweet Gem varieties in any recipe. Like other leafy greens, gem lettuce is a relatively delicate vegetable and won't keep long.
How long to cook a little gem?
Lower the heat to medium, cover, and cook about 3 to 4 minutes, or until the cut side has browned and the lettuce has just started to wilt. Meanwhile, cut a lemon in half and remove the seeds. When the lettuce is done, turn off the heat and remove it from the pan onto a plate. Squeeze a little lemon juice into the frying pan. Swirl, then pour over the lettuce, and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Simple and delicious and it takes no more than five minutes. Serves one or two, depending on the size of the lettuce
How long does it take to fry lettuce?
Swirl, then pour over the lettuce, and sprinkle with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Simple and delicious and it takes no more than five minutes. Serves one or two, depending on the size of the lettuce.
How tall does Romaine lettuce grow?
This Romaine lettuce grows 6" high with a thick, sweet heart. There's no waste on this lettuce. It's perfect for individual salads and sandwiches. This popular lettuce is easy to grow and holds well for a prolonged harvest.
How cold does lettuce need to be to germinate?
When: Lettuce germinates quite well in cool (4.4˚C) soil and will continue to do so until it gets up to 23.9˚C (after this it gets erratic).
What kind of lettuce is used in Caesar salad?
Little Gems. Romaine varieties grow a long head of sturdy leaves with a firm rib down the center, and are quite popular in the United States. This is the variety of lettuce used in the popular Caesar salad. They are fairly easy to grow and tolerate some heat.
What nutrients do lettuce plants need?
Lettuce has a weak root system and isn't a very efficient feeder, so the soil needs to be quite fertile. Its main requirement is for nitrogen, but it also needs moderate amounts of potassium and phosphorus.
Can lettuce grow in hot weather?
Lettuce will thrive in mild weather with consistent moisture. To extend the sowing season into hot weather, sow in light shade or erect a canopy of loosely woven shade cloth over the bed.
Can you grow lettuce in a container?
Yes. Lettuce is fairly easy to grow in containers, either individually or as a cut-and-come-again crop. Little Gems will do well when grown singly in individual containers, or in groups (space them 6" apart) in larger containers. Put them in a cool place and keep them well watered.
How long does it take for little gem lettuce to germinate?
Keep the soil moist at all times. Little Gem lettuce germinates within two to five days after planting the seeds.
How to keep slugs off little gem lettuce?
Because this plant grows so quickly, pests usually aren’t a concern, but look for aphids – small white pests that tend to congregate en masse on the lower sides of the foliage. Use a strong blast of water from the hose to knock them off the lettuce. If slugs are eating the lettuce, determine where they hide in the daytime and install a strip of coarse, sharp sand between that location and the Little Gem bed.
What is a little gem?
A miniature, quick-maturing romaine lettuce variety, Little Gem (Lactuca sativa 'Little Gem') is ideal for small gardens. Because the heads are so compact – 4 inches across – you can plant Little Gem seeds closer together for a larger yield than other varieties.
How to grow lettuce after thinning?
Fertilize the seedlings after thinning with a soluble nitrogen fertilizer, such as the one you used before planting. Apply the fertilizer by digging a 2-inch-deep trench, 2 inches away from the row. Cover the fertilizer with soil and water to a depth of 6 inches. This process is known as side-dressing and it helps avoid burning the lettuce’s tender roots. Always use the amount of fertilizer the manufacturer recommends.
How to get slugs off lettuce?
Use a strong blast of water from the hose to knock them off the lettuce. If slugs are eating the lettuce, determine where they hide in the daytime and install a strip of coarse, sharp sand between that location and the Little Gem bed.
How to keep lettuce from burning?
Apply the fertilizer by digging a 2-inch-deep trench, 2 inches away from the row. Cover the fertilizer with soil and water to a depth of 6 inches. This process is known as side-dressing and it helps avoid burning the lettuce’s tender roots. Always use the amount of fertilizer the manufacturer recommends.
What is loose leaf lettuce?
Loose-Leaf Lettuce. One of the most fast-growing lettuce varieties, the loose-leaf lettuce contain s large, moderately crispy, loosely-packed leaves that do not form compact heads. It has a mild, sweet flavor. Other names: Leaf lettuce.
What is the taste of endive lettuce?
Like Frisee, this endive lettuce variety has large green leaves, along with a crispy texture and mildly bitter taste.
What is mache lettuce?
Mache. Mache Lettuce. This lettuce variety has small, delicate leaves, and it imparts a slightly mild, sweet flavor to salads. Since grit and sand tend to collect in the tiny nubs of roots, mache needs to be cleaned carefully. Other names: Lambs’ lettuce, field lettuce, fetticus.
What is the name of the lettuce that is used in salad dressing?
Cress Lettuce. Available in bunches, watercress is mostly popular in the US. It has small green leaves, along with sturdy, fibrous stems, imparting a peppery taste to the food in which it is included. Other names: Watercress, curly cress, land cress, upland cress. Uses: For salad dressing with mustard vinaigrette.
How many types of lettuce are there?
18 Types of Lettuce. Apart from the popular lettuce types, like romaine and iceberg, there is a wide range of lettuce varieties available in different colors, textures, and flavors. You can add these vegetables to salads, burgers, wraps, soups, or sandwiches to not just improve their nutritional value but also make them interesting to look and eat.
What are the different types of lettuce?
The four common types of lettuce based on the shape, texture, and uses include Crisphead, Butterhead, Romaine, and Loose-Leaf Lett uce. In addition to these four main lettuce types, a fifth variety of lettuce, called asparagus lettuce or celtuce, is grown for its thick stems that are commonly used in Chinese cuisines.
How tall does a sage plant grow?
It is crispy-textured with a slightly bitter taste and is sold as ‘hearts’ or whole heads in North America. Its vase-shaped heads can grow to a height of 12 inches.
