Leafy salads are becoming increasingly popular with the public every year. This is not only due to their taste, but also to their enormous health benefits. Lollo Rosa salad is used to garnish banquets and festive dishes.
It can help you lose excess weight, as 100 grams of the product contains only 16 kcal.
Description of the variety
Lollo Rosso is a variety of lettuce originally from Italy. An annual, it can be grown year-round in heated greenhouses or on a windowsill. The growing season for Lollo Rosso is 40-50 days. Some call it "Coral Lettuce" because of its resemblance to these seaweeds.
The lettuce grows in a loose bunch of light, wavy leaves, typically no more than 20 cm in diameter. The root is white, the stems are light green, and the tops are purple or burgundy-red. Its flavor is excellent; unlike many varieties, it is not bitter and has a subtle nutty flavor. It is used in both light summer vegetable salads and more substantial dishes. It pairs well with vegetables and any type of cheese. Dressings include various sauces, lemon, and olive oil. The lettuce can be enjoyed as a standalone dish or as a side dish for meat or fish. Restaurants use it as a garnish. It is also widely used in sandwiches, cold dishes, and appetizers.
Low calorie content isn't the main advantage of lettuce; the leaves contain a huge amount of micro and macronutrients, such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus, as well as iron, zinc, selenium, and copper. It also has high levels of B vitamins, beta-carotene, and vitamins A, C, E, and K. Therefore, even on a diet, the body won't need additional vitamin and mineral supplements.
Benefit
- Lettuce leaves are easily digested and quickly processed.
- Due to its iron content, salad increases the level of hemoglobin in the blood.
- It is recommended for people suffering from diabetes, as it regulates water metabolism and reduces the content of deposited salts.
- Increases mental abilities and helps improve memory.
- It has an anti-inflammatory effect, stimulates the immune system, improves the flow of bile and removes toxins from the body.
- Potassium, which is contained in lettuce, has a positive effect on the functioning of the heart muscle.
- Lollo Rosa salad is recommended for consumption by patients with hypertension, as well as various thyroid diseases.
Harm
Salad consumption is contraindicated only for those with individual intolerance, which is very rare. People with a history of urolithiasis, acute enterocolitis, or colitis should limit their salad consumption.
Use in folk medicine
- Eating salad every day can help you get rid of insomnia;
- A decoction of lettuce leaves is good for sunburn and is also used to relieve skin inflammation;
- To moisturize your skin, you can make a mask using lettuce leaves; you'll need about 10. Mash the leaves until smooth, then add 3 tablespoons of sour cream and mix well. Apply the mask for 15 minutes at least once a week.
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil, 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and 3 tablespoons of pureed lettuce also makes an excellent nourishing mask that saturates the skin with vitamins and perfectly tones and refreshes.
Growing and care
Seeds are sown around early May, as soon as the weather warms up. The location should be sunny, with some shade permitted. Loose, nutrient-rich soil is best for lettuce. Before planting, make shallow furrows in the soil, and plant the seeds at a depth of 1-2 centimeters. The recommended planting pattern is 20 x 25 cm. The first watering should be done very carefully, using a spray bottle, to prevent the seeds from shifting. The first shoots will appear in approximately 7-10 days. After the sprouts emerge, the planting should be thinned.
Throughout the growing season, plants require regular watering and loosening of the soil. Insufficient moisture degrades the lettuce's flavor. Weeds must also be removed promptly. Lollo Rossa lettuce should be fertilized at least twice per season, using a complex mineral fertilizer. The plant grows vigorously, and can be harvested up to three times per season.
Growing lettuce on a windowsill
Sow the seeds in a prepared container with soil at a depth of 1-1.5 cm. Water and cover with plastic wrap. Once the seedlings emerge, place the containers on a well-lit windowsill. However, avoid direct sunlight. The optimal temperature for lettuce is considered to be 18-22 degrees Celsius. Water the plants as the soil dries out; do not allow the soil to harden, otherwise the sprouts will have difficulty emerging.
Plants require full daylight. If the seeds are planted in winter, the lettuce can be supplemented with a phytolamp. Place it approximately 50 cm from the plant container. Lettuce requires minimal care, just watering and fertilizing, which doesn't take much time.
Interesting facts
- The lettuce should be torn by hand, as it loses many of its beneficial properties when in contact with metal.
- If there is bitterness in the lettuce leaves, they need to be soaked in water for 10-15 minutes and the bitterness will disappear.
- If the lettuce leaves are completely dark in color, this indicates that it is overripe.
Conclusion
The Lollo Rosso lettuce is an excellent variety. It can be grown not only in the garden but also indoors on a windowsill or glassed-in balcony, as long as the plants receive sufficient light. It's easy to care for, and its nutritional content is simply off the charts. It's recommended for many ailments and for preventative purposes.