All About Iceberg / Crisp-Head Lettuce

Iceberg lettuce, also known as crisp-head lettuce, can get a 'bad rap' as only being good for empty calories. But, actually, it does have nutritional value, is delicious (well, I think so) and keeps longer than most other lettuce types, making it a wise economical choice since it minimizes spoilage and waste. 

What Is It Like? 

Iceberg is a variety of lettuce with crisp leaves which grows in a spherical head resembling cabbage. It is considered one of the sweeter lettuce varieties like romaine and butterhead. Mature iceberg lettuce grows to about one foot in diameter. The leaves on the outside tend to be green and the leaves in the centre go from pale yellow to nearly whitish as you move closer and closer to the centre of the head. 

Known for its mild flavour and firm, crunchy texture, iceberg lettuce is a good choice for salads, shredded in snacks, as a garnish, and in sandwiches. When used in combination with other varieties of lettuce, iceberg lettuce will contribute a pleasant crunch to salads. Moreover, its uniform, pale-green leaves make iceberg lettuce an easy product to work with, making it a good choice for many recipes. 

Nutritional Value 

While iceberg lettuce is considered to be a food that does not offer much nutritional value, this is a misconception. This leafy green is a good source of fibre, potassium, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and iron. It has relatively few calories by weight because of its high water content.

How It Is Grown 

Iceberg lettuce requires a long growing season and the plant prefers cool weather. It needs about 80 to 90 days to reach maturity and will usually mature just as the warm weather sets in. The plants can be started with seedlings inside and then transplanted outdoors once the threat of frost is gone. To transplant the lettuce, be sure to choose fertile, moist soil that drains well. Frequent watering will help the iceberg lettuce plants grow quickly.

Cooking With Iceberg Lettuce 

While iceberg lettuce is most popularly used as a simple salad staple, there are other, more creative ways to use this classic ingredient. 

• Spice up your salads and create an Iceberg Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing, a nice vegetarian dish; see here
• Lettuce wraps can be completely customizable and are a fun and healthy meal option. Move beyond salads and begin to embrace the lettuce wrap. Lettuce wraps are quick and easy to make and can be served as an appetizer, main dish, or even a snack for a festive party. Iceberg lettuce leaves are the perfect vessel to fill with tasty fillings from shrimp, sautéed pork, or chicken. Why not try this low carb Spicy Pork Lettuce Wrap recipe; see here
• Go raw, vegan, and gluten-free. Use iceberg lettuce leaves as you would tortillas to make raw food burritos; see here 
• How about stir-frying iceberg lettuce for a Chinese side dish that's done in four, easy steps; see here 

Storage 

Store any unused iceberg lettuce in the refrigerator wrapped in a damp paper towel and sealed in plastic wrap or a zip-top bag. The iceberg lettuce should keep for four to five days before starting to wilt.

The above based on article seen here

Dear reader, you will find a variety of articles and recipe ideas within this blog, and not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter.

All the best Jan