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The wild ramp, AKA wild leek, botanical name Allium tricoccum, is a flowering perennial plant that grows in clusters. It is a member of the Allium family along with onions and leeks
Calamondin Limes
The Calamondin lime is a cross between a sour, loose skinned mandarin and a kumquat, therefore technically making it an orangequat.
Salanova® Lettuces
Salanova® lettuce is a full-sized variety developed for the baby lettuce market. Botanically these varieties are scientifically known as Lactuca sativa.


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Description/Taste
Red Boston lettuce is medium to large in size and rounded in shape with loose, wavy, cupped leaves with an open center, similar in appearance to a rose. The broad, soft, outer leaves are thick and frilled at the edges with swirls of red, purple, and burgundy, and these leaves encompass more tightly bound, yellow-green 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. Red Boston lettuce is tender and crisp with a nutty, mild, and sweet flavor.
Seasons/Availability
Red Boston lettuce is available year-round.
Current Facts
Red Boston lettuce, botanically classified as Lactuca sativa, is an annual plant of the Asteraceae or sunflower family and is one variety of dozens of butterhead lettuces. Also known as a limestone lettuce variety, which is lettuce that was successfully cultivated in limestone-rich soils, Red Boston lettuce is recognized by its compact rosette shaped head and large, easily separated, buttery leaves. Red Boston lettuce is favored by home gardeners for its tolerance to heat and adaptability to many different soils and is grown for its smooth texture and crisp flavor for use in wraps, soups, and salads.
Nutritional Value
Red Boston lettuce contains calcium, iron, vitamins A and C, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. It also contains anthocyanins, which are antioxidants responsible for the lettuce's red pigments.
Applications
Red Boston lettuce is best suited for both raw and cooked applications such as braising or boiling. Predominately used as the principle ingredient in salad, its textures and subtle flavors are perfect for savory and bold, or bright, fruity companion ingredients. Red Boston lettuce is commonly layered in sandwiches or used as a wrap for tuna or chicken. In addition to fresh preparations, Red Boston lettuce can be cooked and transformed into an earthy and sultry ingredient when slowly braised or added to simmering soup, achieving a level of caramelization when paired with the right ingredients such as butter, rich meats, and chicken stock. It can also be used in stir-fries or mixed into cooked peas. Red Boston lettuce pairs well with bright herbs including dill, basil, and mint, lemon juice, mustard, vinaigrettes, citrus-based dressings, blue cheese, feta cheese, cottage cheese, ricotta cheese, bacon, anchovies, shallots, leeks, nuts such as pistachios, walnuts, hazelnuts, and Marcona almonds, apples, pears, seedless grapes, persimmons, and sliced grapefruit. It will keep 3-4 days in a loosely closed container when stored in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator.
Ethnic/Cultural Info
Bibb lettuce has increased in popularity in the commercial marketplace since the early 1900s, and in the 1980s it became a favored lettuce to be hydroponically grown. The benefits of hydroponically grown lettuce are cleanliness and shelf life. When the roots are attached and kept in water, bibb lettuce can last for over a month and will stay crisp and fresh. In the market today, bibb lettuce is often labeled when it is hydroponically grown and is sought after for its ability to be used a little at a time without the worry of the leaves wilting.
Geography/History
Red Boston lettuce is named for its original cultivator, John Bibb. In 1865 he grew his special bibb lettuce in Kentucky's alkaline soil and this variety, also called limestone, would become the very first American gourmet lettuce. Red Boston lettuce may be a descendant of the first ever cultivated red butterleaf lettuce known as mervielle des quatre saisons, a French heirloom introduced before 1885. Today Red Boston lettuce is widely found at supermarkets, specialty grocers, and farmers markets in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and select regions in South America.
Featured Restaurants
Restaurants currently purchasing this product as an ingredient for their menu.
Cloak and Petal | San Diego CA | 619-501-5505 |
Marriott Del Mar | San Diego CA | 858-369-6029 |
Blade 1936 | Oceanside CA | 760-231-1456 |
Paradise Point Resort Tidal | San Diego CA | 858-490-6363 |
Flying Pig Pub & Kitchen | Oceanside CA | 619-990-0158 |
Parakeet Cafe- Little Italy (Pastry) | San Diego CA | 619-297-0235 |
Rancho Valencia | Del Mar CA | 858-756-1123 |
Big Thyme Sandwich Company | San Diego CA | 619-894-5042 |
Carte Hotel | San Diego CA | 504-554-1323 |
Born & Raised | San Diego CA | 619-550-5412 |
Tahona (Kitchen) | San Diego CA | 619-573-0289 |
Exhale | Oceanside CA | 760-420-2098 |
Arrowood Golf Course | Oceanside CA | 760-967-8400 |
InterContinental Banquet Kitchen | San Diego CA | 619-501-9400 |
Recently Shared
People have shared Red Boston Hydroponic Lettuce using the Specialty Produce app for iPhone and Android.
Produce Sharing allows you to share your produce discoveries with your neighbors and the world! Is your market carrying green dragon apples? Is a chef doing things with shaved fennel that are out of this world? Pinpoint your location annonymously through the Specialty Produce App and let others know about unique flavors that are around them.
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Red Shed Farm
Near Mount Vernon, Washington, United StatesMount Vernon, WA About 197 days ago, 5/25/19 Sharer's comments : Nutty, mild, sweet varietal lettuce also known as Stanford in these parts ;) ![]() About 199 days ago, 5/23/19 ![]() ![]()
Cha New Life Farm
Near Redmond, Washington, United States, Duvall About 477 days ago, 8/18/18 Sharer's comments : Red Boston Bibb Lettuce spotted at Redmond Saturday Market. Tender and buttery perfect in any salad or sandwich! Lunardis Los Gatos Near San Jose, California, United States About 699 days ago, 1/09/18 Sharer's comments : they have it fresh.. |