The Evolution Of Salad
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Early on, salads were stereotyped as a "diet food." A
common misconception was that the salad was just a plain
plate of lettuce topped with croutons and dressing. But
that's all changed! Today, the salad has evolved from
a dull, tasteless first course, to a vibrant, delicious
meal in itself. This is partly due to the availability
of many different lettuce varieties.Don't get stuck limiting
yourself to solely using Iceberg lettuce (which is actually
one of the least nutritious of all salad greens), but
experiment with some of the many exciting new flavors
in the lettuce aisle. Don’t forget to pick lettuce
up for sandwiches, too. Crisp, fresh lettuce leaves bring
any sandwich creation up to the next level, and add nutrition,
too.
Health Benefits
Although iceberg lettuce doesn’t contain significant
amounts of any vitamin, other varieties, such as romaine,
are excellent sources of vitamin A. Romaine also contains
folate and phytochemicals thought to reduce the incidence
of cancer.
Fun Facts
- Americans eat almost five times more lettuce
now than they ate in the early 1900s.
- Romans traditionally
began their banquets with lettuce to enhance the
appetite and relax the alimentary
canal.
- Iceberg lettuce was called Crisphead until the 1920s.
To keep the lettuce cool during shipping huge
quantities of ice were mounded on top of it, giving it the
appearance of an iceberg.
Selection Tips
When choosing lettuce, look for loose bunches that are
fresh, crisp, and well-colored. Avoide lettuce that
seems wilted or shows signs of spotting or decay. Avoid
leaf lettuce that has yellow leaves or cracked ribs.
For the perfect head of iceberg lettuce, find one that
is springy-firm and gives slightly to gentle pressure.
Availability
In addition to bagged salad mixes, we also offer California
and Arizona leaf lettuce; California, Arizona, and
Colorado iceberg lettuce, and romaine hearts from California
and Arizona, all year round.
Storage
Store all lettuce in your refrigerator’s crisper
drawer
Recipes
Quick 'n Easy
All Family
Easy Entertaining
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