Rapunzel is a small lettuce with delicate green leaves and a subtle nutty flavor. Not very popular until recently, today it appears more and more often in Polish dishes, especially in the autumn and winter, when access to fresh vegetables is very limited. In addition to its attractive taste, it has a high nutritional value – it contains various vitamins, minerals and bioactive compounds that have a positive effect on our body. What health properties does lamb’s lettuce have? Can it be grown at home? And how to use it in your dishes? You will find answers to these and other questions below.
Lamb’s lettuce, also known as lamb’s lettuce, is a leafy plant from the Valerian family, related to valerian. In Poland, it is a cultivated plant, but it can also be found in natural habitats. It can be recognized by its tiny green leaves that form dense rosettes, resembling small heads of lettuce.
Due to its low soil requirements, lettuce is perfect for growing at home, e.g. in a pot on the windowsill, so you can enjoy it all year round. Moreover, you can buy it in almost every store – most often it is available in plastic packaging, located in the leafy vegetables section.
What does rapunzel taste like? It is said to be one of the tastiest varieties of lettuce. Its small, rounded leaves have a crisp but delicate structure and a pleasant nutty flavor. It has a more intense flavor than butter lettuce, but milder than arugula and chicory. Thanks to this, it suits both light and more expressive dishes.
Rapunzel it is valued not only for its attractive taste, but also for its high nutritional value. Not everyone knows that this inconspicuous vegetable is a real treasure trove of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins C, E and A, folic acid, potassium, manganese and iron. It is also impossible not to mention bioactive ingredients such as carotenoids, sterols and phenolic acids.
What health properties does lamb’s lettuce have? They are really numerous. According to scientific reports, it has a positive effect on cognitive functions, which weaken with age. Moreover, it brings a number of benefits to our circulatory system – some studies have shown that regular consumption of green leafy vegetables reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke.
Lamb’s lettuce is a rich source of antioxidants that help fight oxidative stress – one of the greatest enemies of our health. Supporters of natural medicine willingly use it to improve digestive processes and deacidify the body and remove toxins. An additional advantage of this plant is its low carbohydrate content, making it suitable for diabetics.
Are you wondering how to use lamb’s lettuce in your dishes? The best idea is to add it to a salad. Its delicate texture and slightly nutty flavor make it pair well with many products, including meat, fish, fruit and cheese. Below you will find recipes for salads with lamb’s lettuce that are perfect for any occasion.
1) Salad with lamb’s lettuce and feta cheese
it’s the perfect option for a quick meal. Just combine the above ingredients with cherry tomatoes, canned corn, black olives and red onion. Pour the whole thing with a dressing based on wine vinegar, olive oil, salt and pepper.
2) Salad with lamb’s lettuce and eggs
Looking for something more filling? In that case . Other ingredients worth including are radish, dill and chives. The perfect ending to the dish will be a sauce made of mayonnaise, maple syrup, honey mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
3) Salad with lamb’s lettuce and salmon
If you are a fish fan, be sure to try it. Enrich it with cherry tomatoes, fresh spinach, red pepper, red onion and eggs. Pour the whole thing with a sauce of olive oil, mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
Sources: Smaker.pl, vitapedia.pl, plantet.pl
