Romaine Lettuce Delivery or Pickup

Make sure there are no dull or discolored leaves when you're ready to prepare the lettuce. Thoroughly wash romaine lettuce by rinsing any dirt and debris and separate the leaves from the core. Pick out each leaf and wash it under water or soak it in water and remove any dirt with your hands. Dry the wet lettuce on a cloth or in a salad spinner. Using a knife, trim the very end of the leaf. Romaine can be enjoyed as a whole leaf or cut in pieces. Any leftover lettuce leaves can be refrigerated.

Romaine lettuce has a mild and crisp texture, so it's a well-known plant that can be prepared in any salad recipe. It's most commonly used as the main ingredient of salads, but since the leaves are sturdy, romaine also bears well when grilled or sauteed. In fact, romaine has become a popular green to grill alongside other vegetables. 

In the U.S., you can often find only the heart of the Romaine lettuce so that you can take it home without having to remove excess leaves. It's grown in states like California, Arizona, and Florida. Its origins are not widely known but it is believed to originate from the Greek island of Cos and may be one of the oldest lettuces. It is thought to have been eaten for 5,000 years. Egyptian paintings with long-leaf lettuces resemble romaine, and the Romans believed in its healing properties.

The most famous recipe that uses romaine lettuce is the Caesar salad. This salad was created in the 1920s by Caesar Cardini, who was a chef in Tijuana, Mexico, and created the salad with few supplies and at a moment's notice. The original recipe calls for romaine lettuce, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, olive oil, coddled eggs, croutons, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Anchovies are mashed into the dressing, but they are not believed to have been a part of the original recipe, but many feel that they are integral to the salad.

The ingredients of mashed garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, anchovies, Worcestershire sauce, and eggs are combined to make a dressing base. The original recipe uses raw egg yolks. You can use young romaine leaves whole. Add cheese, croutons, salt, and pepper.

Romaine lettuce leaves should look crisp and fresh with vibrant green color. If you are able to grow your own romaine lettuce, you can start to harvest the leaves when they are about five inches long. When the head of romaine is about six to eight inches long, the leaves are mature.

If you're thinking of preparing a nice romaine salad, head to the Instacart app to select what you need. Complete your purchase, and an Instacart shopper will head to the store to get your items. We'll aim to get your groceries delivered the same day, and in the process, make your day a little easier!

Romaine lettuce is a plant that has to be consumed within a few days of purchase. Keep it in a cool place in a container or bag and consume it within a couple of days.