Catalogna Lettuce Delivery or Pickup

As the name suggests, catalogna lettuce is native to Italy. Also known as Catalogna di Galatina, the lettuce is named after the southern Italian town of Galatina, which is where catalogna lettuce is believed to have first grown. This type of lettuce is thick, bitter, and versatile. Some people say it tastes like a blend of arugula, dandelion, and fennel.

Many people opt for catalogna lettuce when serving a salad with a heavy dressing, as catalogna lettuce leaves are thick and sturdy enough to hold the dressing. The crunch of catalogna lettuce also satisfies in any salad. You can serve this type of lettuce raw on a sandwich, as a bed underneath beef or duck, or as a garnish.

Additionally, catalogna lettuce can be cooked. Traditionally, the lettuce is braised or sauteed with a light amount of olive oil. You can even roast or grill catalogna lettuce for a crispy and earthy taste. This lettuce is complementary to balsamic vinegar, chili oil, garlic, gorgonzola, mushrooms, anchovies, citrus juice, bacon, and olives.

Catalogna lettuce has a darker color than other types of lettuce. You can find it in a dark green color, and some catalogna lettuce bundles may even have hints of purple. The difference in color does not make a difference in flavor. Fresh catalogna will appear vivid in color and is crisp. You want to avoid a catalogna bundle that has muted coloring or flimsy leaves or feels slimy.

Catalogna lettuce is available in two forms. Some stores sell the lettuce still connected to its tender, white stem. Other stores sell catalogna lettuce already trimmed and cut. Some stores may even sell catalogna lettuce in both forms, letting you choose whether you want to prepare it yourself or enjoy the convenience of pre-cut catalogna lettuce. 

You can check Instacart to see how your local grocery store sells catalogna lettuce. With Instacart, you can browse the produce section online and save time ordering from home!

If you purchase catalogna lettuce in its full form, you'll need to cut the leaves from the stem. Once you remove the leaves, you can soak them in ice water for 30 minutes. This will help the leaves crisp up. It also strengthens the leaves so they won't soak up dressing if used in a salad. After letting the leaves soak, pat them dry with a paper towel, and they will be ready to eat.

If you wrap catalogna lettuce in plastic, it can keep in the refrigerator for one to two weeks. Make sure to wrap the lettuce securely but not too tight. You also want to make sure all pieces of your catalogna lettuce are protected by plastic. The older the lettuce is, the more bitter it will be. If you taste your catalogna lettuce and it's more bitter than you'd prefer, you can reduce the bitterness by simply washing or rewashing the leaves. Cooking catalogna lettuce also reduces the bitterness and creates a milder flavor.

Catalogna lettuce can actually promote healthy digestion. This is because catalogna lettuce contains lactucopicrin, which can offer relief to the central nervous system. Additionally, catalogna lettuce is rich in calcium, which helps with bone health; iron, which assists with energy and focus; vitamin C, which can strengthen your body's natural defenses; and beta carotene, which can support eye health. Eating catalogna lettuce raw will provide you with the most health benefits, but cooked catalogna lettuce can also be a healthy food to incorporate into your diet.