Featured Local Source: Fly Girl Farm

Pescadero

Lettuces are one of the first and most lovely spring vegetables to sprout. Their delicate leaves hold a wealth of flavor, texture and color. Exciting heirloom varieties are increasingly becoming available from local farmers.

Lettuces fall into one of four categories: 

Crisphead types, like the familiar iceberg lettuce, offer crunch and durability.

Romaine is characterized by stiff, upright leaves on small or large heads. 

Looseleaf types include ruffly red and green oakleaf. 

Butterhead, such as Boston, bibb and butter lettuces, are common to find as a gourmet mix sold clean and ready to use at farmers markets. 

Lettuces require gentle handling. Slice off the base and let the leaves fall open, discarding the outside leaves. Wash the leaves gently in plenty of water and dry them well. Store dried lettuce between rolled towels in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.