Vegetables · FFET10487
Stem lettuce (celtuce)
Celtuce is eaten for its thick stem, which can be peeled and eaten raw, stir-fried, or pickled.
CanonVegetablesCeltuce is a form of lettuce eaten for its thick stem, which can be peeled and eaten raw, stir-fried, pickled, or dried. A report describes early-spring celtuce cultivation in Nanzhuang village, Fengyi town, Maoxian, Sichuan.
When
An older account describes sowing in the first and second lunar months. A report from Maoxian, Sichuan, records an early-spring celtuce harvest on April 21, but gives no year and does not establish an annual harvest schedule.1,4
Where
Nanzhuang village in Fengyi town, Maoxian, Sichuan, is a reported growing area for early-spring celtuce.4
How
An older account describes rich soil as suitable for lettuce and records peeling the stem to eat it raw or pickling it in lees. Other preparations include slicing and stir-frying, pickling, and drying.1,2,3
Why
Celtuce is distinctive for its thick, edible stem, which can be eaten raw once peeled. An older account compares the flavor of the peeled, raw stem to cucumber.1
Impact and influence
Celtuce can be eaten raw, stir-fried, pickled or dried. The available material contains no dated planting area or output figures, so no scale figures are given.2,3