21/22 Season

Amish Deer Tongue lettuce is named for the triangular-shaped leaves with a thin midrib growing upwards in a rosette. It has a more robust flavour than most lettuces, balancing the sweeter, more common varieties.

Young leaves are milder, and harvesting every few days encourages more growth. Quick maturing, it has the higher nutrition than most lettuces, being rich in Vitamin A. 

It has been valued for well over 100 years for heat and cold tolerance, large production, flavour, and ability to be harvested more than once. 

History

First introduced in the 1840s, it grew in popularity in the New England states and Amish communities until the appearance of large farms that shipped long distances, which its fragile leaves would not tolerate.

Today it’s being rediscovered by home gardeners and farmers market growers for the flavour that initially made it a favourite.

Uses

Leaves are used in salads and on sandwiches. Bold and flavorful, it holds the centre point in salads and balances the flavours in sandwiches, pairing well with aged cheese and fresh fruit. 

Growing Tip

Mulching your lettuce plants will help the shallow root system maintain even moisture. Try to keep constant moisture by watering the soil, not the leaves.

Amish Deer Tongue lettuce, valued for more than 100 years