Winter salad par excellence, lamb's lettuce (Valerianella locusta) is a plant from the same family as Valerian. Formerly considered a weed because it grows spontaneously in all latitudes (Europe, Africa, South America). Unlike other salads, which develop large leaves, lamb's lettuce is grouped in small clusters of about twenty small leaves.
Nutritional Information
Tender, easy to eat, and with a delicate flavor, lamb's lettuce is nutritionally rich. Low in calories: 19 kcal per 100 g, lamb's lettuce is rich in Vitamin C, Vitamin B9, Beta-carotene (precursor of Vitamin A, valuable for skin and hair health), Vitamin E, and Fiber. However, its main characteristic lies in the fact that it contains plant-based omega-3s (approximately 240 mg per 100 g). This makes it a preferred food choice to balance your daily omega-3 intake.
How to Enjoy and Store Lamb's Lettuce?
Lamb's lettuce is best enjoyed raw, in salads. It pairs well with seasonal foods: cooked or raw beets, pears, apples, walnuts, sweet onions, mushrooms, or mixed with other types of lettuce such as arugula, which has a stronger taste, or spinach leaves. It particularly likes mild dressings: balsamic vinegar, walnut oil, rapeseed oil (for even more omega-3s on the plate), olive oil, etc. Lamb's lettuce can also be consumed cooked: during peak season, it can be cooked like spinach and served as a side dish. It can also be incorporated into soups or prepared as a velouté.
Whenever possible, choose lamb's lettuce from organic farming. To fully benefit from its micronutritional properties, prefer it presented in clusters, with visible roots and well-greened leaves, rather than pre-packaged bags. It can be stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 days after purchase.