Lollo rossa, also referred to as "coral" for its intricately cut and intricately colored leaves, is one of the favorite products of the dinner table. Giving volume to dishes, such a plant is characterized by a rich nutty, slightly bitter taste.
This beautiful lollo rossa salad
The photo conveys all the beauty of such a beautiful garden culture. A plant originally from Italy, is one of the varieties of lettuce.
In its chemical composition it contains a huge amount of trace elements important for the human body, including magnesium, beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, phosphorus, vitamins K, B9, A, zinc, manganese, sodium, iron and copper. By the presence of potassium, which has a positive effect on the work of the heart, lettuce "lollo rossa" is considered the leader in its family. 16 kcal - this is the calorie content of 100 grams of the product.
Useful properties of coral lettuce
Leaf garden crop is indispensable in dietary nutrition andhas a positive effect on the immune system. Also, the use of salad "lollo rossa" contributes to:
- memory improvement;
- getting rid of insomnia;
- to alleviate the course of diabetes;
- hemoglobin increase;
- activation of mental activity;
- atherosclerosis prevention;
- normalization of the thyroid gland;
- optimization of metabolic processes in the body;
- strengthen blood vessels;
- lower blood sugar;
- getting rid of excess weight;
- prevention of colds and viral diseases;
- remove unnecessary nervousness and irritability.
It is not recommended to use lettuce for people suffering from gout, acute enterocolitis, urolithiasis.
Use in culinary arts
Lollo Rossa salad (see photo in the article), characterized by an attractive decorative look, is combined with many products; it is a great accompaniment to meat, fish, vegetables, and goes great with cheeses.
When buying, you should choose a salad whose leaves are not completely dark red. This indicates that the plant is not overripe.
Great for a light breakfast of fresh lettuce served with bacon slices and a poached egg. Paired with cherry tomatoes, olive oil and spices, lolla rossa is perfect for a relaxing dinner to end a busy day. Sometimes, to understand that life is good enougheat a slice of black bread with a piece of cold boiled pork and a couple of coral green leaves.
Lollo Rossa salad: planting and care
Planting lettuce is recommended to be done in nutritious, loose, well-moistened soil from April-May (with the establishment of warm weather) until the end of July. Despite the fact that the plant is photophilous, it is better to determine its location with the presence of a small shadow in order to avoid active shooting. It is also worth considering that the lack of light will cause inhibition of lettuce growth.
Seeds should be planted at a depth of 1-1.5 cm in pre-prepared moistened furrows.
Plants are recommended to be planted at a distance of 20 cm from each other, the row spacing is 25 cm. When watering the planted material, it is recommended to use the spraying method. At the same time, it is imperative to control that a hardened crust does not form on the surface of the soil, which prevents the sprouts from hatching.
Sprouts that appear after a week need to be thinned out, leaving a gap of at least 5 cm between the plants. As they grow, a few more thinnings will be needed.
"Lollo Rossa" in home cultivation
Lettuce "lollo rossa" is considered an early ripe variety with a growing season of 40-50 days. It is characterized by a loose head, about 20 cm in diameter. The leaves are very decorative, green in the middle, brown-burgundy at the edges, almost white at the base of the rosette. Cultivation can be done inopen and closed ground. The advantage of this type of salad is its cold resistance; young plants can withstand frosts down to -20 degrees.
"Lollo Rossa" is quite easy to care for. The plant needs to be periodically weeded and watered under the root with the simultaneous application of top dressing. Watering should be moderate; It should be borne in mind that with a lack of moisture, lettuce leaves become tasteless and lethargic. The lollo rossa lettuce, which does not require any special knowledge, is characterized by active growth, so it can be harvested several times during the season.
