Michigan State University Extension
Preserving Food Safely - 01600694
10/13/97

### CELTUCE-GENERAL INFORMATION

        Celtuce is known also as stem lettuce,  celery  lettuce

    and
    asparagus lettuce.  It looks like a cross between celery

    and
     lettuce.   This type of lettuce is grown for the edible

    enlarged
    seed stalk.   The outer leaves resemble loose  leaf

    lettuce,
    but are a lighter green.  These leaves may be eaten

    in
     salads at a young tender stage.   However,  they  become

    bitter
     and unpalatable rather quickly due to the  formation

    of
    a milky sap.

        Soon  after  the  development of the  outer  leaves,  a

    central
     stalk  bearing  tiny leaves at the  top  starts  to

    elongate.
      Allowed to grow,  this flower stalk will reach 4

    to
    5 feet in height.  It acts very much like regular lettuce

    bolting
    to seed.  The outer edges of the round stem  contain

    the
    bitter milky sap.

        When the stem is about 12 to 18 inches long,  it should

    be
     cut off down into the leafy portion of the plant,  being

    sure
    to peel the outer skin, removing the portion containing

    the
    bitter sap.   The soft,  translucent green  central core

    is
    the edible part.  It may be eaten fresh, either sliced or

    diced
    into a salad.  The flavor is somewhat like a cucumber,

    yet
    different.   In China,  where it is grown in  commercial

    quantities,
     the fleshy stem is cut into sections and cooked

    by
    broiling or stewing.

        Celtuce  should  do  well whenever  and  wherever  leaf

    lettuce
     is grown successfully.   Since it is a cool weather

    crop,
     it should be planted from seed in  the  fall,  winter

    and
    early spring,  spaced at about 8 inches in the row,  and

    treated
     about  like regular lettuce.   Many  seed  catalogs

    advertise
    seed for sale.

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