Lettuce is a popular and a staple in most Ghanaian salads. Aside its impressive health benefits, lettuce comes in various varieties in Ghana yet we have little knowledge about them. With a much-gained public attention on Ghanaian salads, it’s vital to educate “lovers” of salad on the several varieties available to them.
Lettuce is a leafy vegetable that can be grown easily at home, Ghanaians are known to always have a bowl of Ghanaian salad present at any gathering or event. It can be eaten raw, dressed or tossed in salad dressing to give it a unique taste.
In the scientific world, Lettuce is referred to as Lactuca sativa. Here are some common and popular varieties of lettuce.
CORAL LETTUCE
It’s the most popular one here in Ghana with bright green and crisp leaves. Coral Lettuce is used in making great salads, sandwich or burgers. Quite uncommon to us, this popular lettuce comes in not just green but deep red, or speckled. The leaves are delicate and will bruise easily, so always handle with care.
LOOSELEAF LETTUCE
Looseleaf lettuce leaves are large, adds texture to salads. It’s best to tear them up or cut them into bite-size pieces for salad. They’re also great lettuce wraps. Loose leaf lettuce is easy to grow at home. You just plant it, water it, harvest it and eat! It has a mild and sweet flavour.
ROMAINE LETTUCE
This lettuce is considered the most nutritious lettuce. Romaine is a great source of vitamin A, with long leaves and sturdy, sweeter centers, romaine brings a robust crunch to your meal.
ICEBERG LETTUCE
Iceberg lettuce is among the least nutritious greens to put in a salad. It’s alleged that its of low nutritional value. Iceberg lettuce has about only 7% of your daily vitamin A per cup, and only 3% of daily vitamin C among the lowest on this list. Iceberg looks similar to cabbage but they are entirely different. They are also known to have long shelf life.
It’s essential to use fresh juicy, crunchy lettuce when making your salads, lettuce is healthy to eat but everything should be eaten in moderation. And lettuce must be thoroughly washed before consumed. It’s best to try new varieties for that rich Ghanaian salad paired with Jollof, waakye or bread.