Lettuce, lettuce, lettuce. At some point in the spring, do you get sick of lettuce? I’m not sick of it yet, but by August my lettuce-and-kale quote for the year will likely be full. We have a share in a local farm, and let’s just say that we eat a lot of lettuce in the summer time!
If you’re craving a little diversity in your garden and in your diet, you can go way beyond lettuce. Here are a few non-lettuce greens that you can grow:
Arugula – Arugula is an acquired taste, but it’s a pretty amazing one. Its deep, rich, and peppery flavor pairs nicely with meat and cheese, and it slips into a sandwich a lot better than most lettuces do. Lettuce is the quiet cousin of this vegetable. When you put arugula into a sandwich, you can taste it! Add it into your salad in smaller quantities and you’ll see what I mean.
Mizuna – This fancy-looking green is a favorite of those who like to get the jump on gardening in the early spring. It has long green leaves like lettuce, but they’re all cut up and add some fancy to your salads. Like arugula, it has a slightly peppery taste, and it’s also a little bitter. However, it’s still a fairly mild vegetable. Use it in salads to replace a large part of your lettuce.
Mustard Greens – I love these greens! They are nice and spicy. I clip baby mustard greens and toss them into a homemade salad mix. When they grow larger, they might be a little spicy for the salad. Place them into a pan with some Indian spices, water and oil, and saute them for a few minutes. Toss them with onions and garlic and you have a delicious side dish!
Sorrel – This is my daughter’s favorite to eat right out of the garden. It’s lemony, so if you’re not fond of sour tastes, don’t go for this vegetable. Sorrel is easy to grow, and if you’re not careful it will soon be plotting world domination right in your garden beds.
Sweet Cicely – I’m a black licorice fan, so I had to add this one. If you love licorice, fennel and anise, you’ll love the sweet black-licorice taste of this herb. What’s more, it even grows in the shade! Sweet cicely looks a little bit like a very delicate fern, and its taste is a lovely garnish on a sweet salad.
Image Credit: Alexa Sky