Gong Garden

A relative newcomer to the human diet, lettuce was first cultivated about 4500 b.c. Plants resembling romaine lettuce appear painted on the walls of Egyptian tombs. Lettuce was popular with the Greeks & Romans, and is eaten all over western Europe. Romaine (also called cos) got its name when the Pope moved to Avignon in the 14th century, and his Italian gardener introduced this lettuce to the French. The first definite evidence of the iceberg varieties was in 1543. There are four salad types: crisphead (or iceberg), butterhead, romaine (or cos), and leaf. Iceberg does not grow especially well in the northeast ... we don't grow it at all.

Lactuca sativa is a member of the Compositae family.

Lettuce are a fairly good source of potassium (264 mg. in 100 gr. of leaf lettuce), vit. A (1900 i. u. in 100 gr. of romaine or leaf), ascorbic acid (18 mg. in 100 gr. of romaine or leaf), iron (1.4 mg.), and calcium (68 mg.). The darker green the leaves, the more vit. A. Loose leaf lettuces such as Waldman's green have the most nutritional value, followed by romaine and then butterheads. Iceberg does not contain much of anything except carbs (2.9 gr. in 100 gr.) and 96% water!

Prepare lettuce by cutting or tearing the leaves just before eating to prevent loss of vit. C.

Dressing Recipe
1 part sunflower seeds
1/2 part sesame seeds
1 part safflower oil
1/2 to 1/3 part vinegar (cider or rice)
1/4 part soy sauce

Brown seeds in dry frying pan, turning frequently to prevent burning, and let cool. Put in blender with remaining ingredients & blend until smooth. Can be thinned with water or milk. Tofu can also be blended in.