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RED & GREEN LETTUCE
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Lettuce is a wonderfully versatile leafy vegetable, perfect for adding a light crunch to meals.
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It comes in various types, with red varieties offering a colourful twist, while the green types provide that classic crispness.
Lettuce belongs to the daisy family, which also includes cheerful flowers like sunflowers.
How to store your lettuce
STORAGE
Fresh lettuce can be stored in the fridge and used within 7 days of harvesting. Keep in a plastic bag, crisper drawer or an airtight container to maintain moisture. You can also place the stem into a shallow jar of water, keeping leaves out of it. Change water every other day. If you place it in the sun, it may grow a few extra leaves!
DRYING
Dehydrate leafy greens such as lettuce, chard, spinach and kale to make a green powder. To dry in a dehydrator, place leaves on a sheet in a single layer and dry at 40C for 4-8 hours. To dry in the oven set your oven to the lowest setting, open the door to reduce moisture, and cook for 2-4 hours. Check in periodically and discard any burned leaves. Store in a dry, clean jar out of direct sunlight for up to a year. Add to dishes just before serving, do not cook.
FREEZING
Wash and dry the lettuce, separate the leaves from the head, and freeze in airtight bags. Once thawed, use in casseroles and as a spinach substitute. This works better on more robust varieties, such as butterhead or romaine.
