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.
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.
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.
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