Varieties that we plant:
Salanova Red Butter
Coastal Star
Alkindus
Salanova Sweet Crisp
Red Salad Bowl
Flashy Trout Back
Mirlo
Cegolaine
Harvest:
Head lettuce will “head up” forming a semi-compact to compact head of leaves, depending on the variety.
Harvest mini heads at about 6 inches across or mature heads at around 10 inches across.
Harvest by cutting right below the head with a knife, scissors, or shears.
End of Harvest:
Once a head is picked, more leaves may come up from the base, but a new head is unlikely. (With the exception of Salanova varieties - these often produce a second head!) Head Lettuce that is left in the ground too long will bolt (flower) and get bitter.
Storage:
Do not wash until you are ready to use.
Wrap head of lettuce in a cloth or paper towels and place inside a plastic bag or large tupperware.
Head lettuce can store for about a week.
Recipe Ideas:
Of course any classic salad will be perfect for your head lettuce. But if you want to stretch just a little out of your comfort zone, try quartering a compact head of lettuce for a wedge salad.
Large head lettuce leaves also make healthy, low-carb wraps that can be filled with chicken or tuna salad, veggie burger crumbles, shrimp, you name it!