All About Lollo Rosso: Origin, Varieties, and Nutrition
Origin and Characteristics
Lollo Rosso, also known as lollo lettuce or simply lollo, is a variety of lettuce characterized by its curly, dark red leaves. Originating from Italy, this lettuce is cultivated worldwide due to its attractive appearance and slightly bitter taste.
Common Varieties
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Compact Lollo Rosso: This variety is notable for its smaller and more compact size, making it ideal for individual salads or as decoration on dishes.
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Green Lollo Rosso: With dark green leaves and red edges, it is perfect for mixing with other lettuces and vegetables.
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Red Lollo Rosso: The most common variety, with fully red and curly leaves. Ideal for salads and fresh dishes.
Nutritional Value
Lollo Rosso is an excellent source of essential vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, iron, and calcium. Additionally, it is low in calories and high in fiber, making it a healthy option to include in your diet.
Recipe: Lollo Rosso and Feta Cheese Salad
Ingredients:
- 1 head of Lollo Rosso
- 1 cucumber
- 1 tomato
- 1 red onion
- 100 grams of feta cheese
- Black olives
- Olive oil
- Balsamic vinegar
- Salt and black pepper
Preparation:
- Wash and dry the head of Lollo Rosso and cut it into small pieces.
- Peel and slice the cucumber and dice the tomato.
- Cut the red onion into thin strips and place it in a bowl of cold water to soften its flavor.
- Mix the Lollo Rosso, cucumber, tomato, and black olives in a large bowl.
- Add the crumbled feta cheese and drained red onion to the mixture.
- Dress the salad with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and black pepper to taste.
- Mix all the ingredients until well combined and serve cold.