asparagus lettuce invites itself to the table

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N.Dahan, PJ.Perrin, F.Ventura, drone images: Airfranz – France 2

France Televisions

Still little known, asparagus lettuce is increasingly popular with restaurants. Of Asian origin, it is grown in spring and autumn.

In Tourves (Var), behind a field of poppies hides a strange vegetable from afar. It’s celtuce, or more commonly known as asparagus lettuce or Chinese lettuce. “It’s an Asian product that we are starting to consume a little in France”, explains Brun Cayron, market gardener in Tourves. More exactly, it is a romaine type lettuce growing on a stalk.

We grow it here, in spring and autumn, because outside of these times, it’s a little too hot or too cold”, says Bruno Cayron. Some chefs even make it a staple ingredient in their dishes. This is particularly the case in Toulon (Var). Restaurant customers are surprised by the flavors of asparagus lettuce. “It tastes like peas. I find it very fresh and very crunchy”, details a client. Another is just as enthusiastic: “It looks a bit like asparagus, but more delicate. It’s very, very good!”


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