When spring begins, we’re all about enjoying those fresh, vibrant flavours that herald the upcoming arrival of summer. One of those flavours comes from crisp lettuces and leafy greens, which we love in a variety of dishes. From pastas to salads to soups, omelettes, tarts, and more, these veggies are a true taste of springtime. At Farm Boy, we’re at the markets bright and early every morning to bring you the freshest produce of the highest possible quality, and that includes lettuces and leafy greens.
While selection may vary slightly depending on Farm Boy store location, there’s plenty to learn about these nutritional powerhouses that we enjoy on our table. In our guide, learn about different lettuces and leafy greens including how to enjoy them, how to store them, recipes, dressing suggestions, and more!
Arugula
Also Known As: Rocket, roquette, rugula, rucola
Appearance: Small and green, like a miniature oak leaf.
Flavour: Earthy, slightly tart, with a peppery, pungent kick.
How To Enjoy: In salads, pestos, pastas, or on top of pizza.
How To Store: In the fridge in the crisper drawer in a tightly-sealed container.
Recipe To Try: Calabrese and Veggie Pizza
Dressing To Try: A light, sweet vinaigrette, like Farm Boy™ Raspberry Honey Dressing.
Butterhead Lettuce
Also Known As: Boston lettuce, Bibb lettuce, butter lettuce
Appearance: Boston lettuce is larger and floppier, while Bibb lettuce is smaller and more compact. Both varieties have large, cupped leaves.
Flavour: Tender, sweet and mild, with a velvety texture.
How To Enjoy: In salads with delicate dressings, as lettuce cups, or in sandwiches.
How To Store: Store unwashed in a loosely wrapped plastic bag or container in the crisper drawer of the fridge.
Recipe To Try: Classic Nicoise Salad
Dressing To Try: A bright, tangy vinaigrette like Farm Boy™ Red Pepper Dressing.
Cabbage
Also Known As: N/A
Appearance: Round heads with dense leaves come in pale green, leafy green, or red/purple.
Flavour: Slightly bitter, with exceptional crunch.
How To Enjoy: Roasted, and in salads or slaws.
How To Store: Keep in a tightly sealed plastic bag or container in the crisper drawer of your fridge.
Recipe To Try: Crunchy Rainbow Salad with Peanut Dressing
Dressing To Try: A creamy dressing to complement the crunch, like Farm Boy™ Creamy Coleslaw Dressing.
Collard Greens
Also Known As: Collards
Appearance: Broad, dark leaves with lighter veins and stems, which must be removed prior to cooking.
Flavour: Quite bitter, although mildly earthy when cooked.
How To Enjoy: Sautéed, or in salads.
How To Store: Keep unwashed green in an airtight plastic bag or container in the crisper drawer of your fridge.
Dressing To Try: A sharp vinaigrette, like Farm Boy™ Apple Cider Vinaigrette.
Dandelion Greens
Also Known As: N/A
Appearance: Large, long fronds with jagged edges and occasionally a purplish hue.
Flavour: Bitter
How To Enjoy: Blanched and braised, or added to salads with strong dressings. Young dandelion greens are better enjoyed fresh, while larger, more mature ones are best cooked.
How To Store: Rinse well and wrap in damp paper towel, before storing in a plastic bag in the fridge.
Dressing To Try: A bright, simple dressing, like Farm Boy™ Simply 6 Red Wine Vinaigrette.
Endive
Also Known As: Belgian endive, Witloof chicory, chicory
Appearance: Tight, compact spear-shaped leaves in pale green and white.
Flavour: Delicate, slightly bitter, with a juicy crunch.
How To Enjoy: Braised and caramelized, added to salads, or paired with dips.
How To Store: Wrap endive in a damp paper towel and store in a sealed plastic bag or container in the fridge.
Recipe To Try: Chopped Italian Salad
Dressing To Try: A rich, creamy dressing with body, like Farm Boy™ Creamy Ranch Dressing.
Fiddleheads
Also Known As: N/A
Appearance: Tightly curled fronds in a spiral shape, sometimes with a papery brown coating.
Flavour: Sweet, grassy, snappy, and delicate.
How To Enjoy: Fiddleheads must be cooked before consumption. Blanching, steaming, or sautéing are the best ways to eat fiddleheads.
How To Store: Blanche them, drain them, and store in sealable bags or containers in the fridge.
Recipe To Try: Simply Sautéed Fiddleheads
Dressing To Try: A crisp, nutty dressing, like Farm Boy™ Sesame Ginger Vinaigrette.
Iceberg Lettuce
Also Known As: Crisphead lettuce
Appearance: Tight, round heads that are pale green.
Flavour: Crisp, mild, light, watery, and refreshing.
How To Enjoy: In wedge salads or chopped salads, or as a burger and sandwich topping.
How To Store: Fill a bowl with water and place the entire head of iceberg lettuce in it.
Dressing To Try: A creamy dressing that boosts iceberg’s mild flavour, like Farm Boy™ Creamy Ranch Dressing.
Kale
Also Known As: Leaf cabbage, borecole
Appearance: Broad, ruffled leaves ranging in colour from dark green to purple.
Flavour: Strong, earthy, with a slight bitterness.
How To Enjoy: Boiled, baked, stir-fried, sautéed, steamed, or used in salads and smoothies.
How To Store: Store unwashed kale loosely wrapped in the crisper drawer.
Recipe To Try: Warm Kale, Apple, and Butternut Squash Salad
Dressing To Try: A citrus-forward vinaigrette that helps break down kale’s tough leaves, like Farm Boy™ Lemon Garlic Dressing.
Leaf Lettuce
Also Known As: Batavia lettuce, Fresh crisp, summer crisp, red leaf lettuce, green leaf lettuce, looseleaf lettuce
Appearance: Red or green-tipped ruffled leaves in loose bunches.
Flavour: Mild, with a hint of bitterness.
How To Enjoy: In salads and sandwiches, or as lettuce wraps.
How To Store: Remove any damaged or wilted outer leaves, then wrap in paper towels and store in the crisper drawer.
Recipe To Try: Berries, Greens, and Buffalo Mozzarella Salad
Dressing To Try: A tangy, creamy dressing that goes with everything, like Farm Boy™ Honey Dijon Dressing.
Microgreens
Also Known As: N/A
Appearance: Small sprouts with tiny leaves, microgreens can vary in shape and hue depending on what plant they’re harvested from.
Flavour: Mild, as they are just the sprouted versions of mature greens.
How To Enjoy: As a garnish atop soups, salads, and sandwiches.
How To Store: Keep them in their plastic container with a damp paper towel in the crisper drawer of the fridge.
Recipe To Try: Warm Quinoa, Asparagus, and Green Bean Salad
Dressing To Try: A light, slightly sweet dressing, like Farm Boy™ Lemon Garlic with Honey Dressing.
Radicchio
Also Known As: Red chicory, Italian chicory
Appearance: Round, tight heads of purple-red and white.
Flavour: Bitter and peppery.
How To Enjoy: In salads, braised, or grilled.
How To Store: Loosely wrapped in plastic or a breathable bag in the crisper drawer of the fridge.
Recipe To Try: Persimmon, Beet, and Radicchio Salad
Dressing To Try: A rich dressing that balances the bitterness, like Farm Boy™ Creamy Mango Poppyseed Dressing.
Romaine Lettuce
Also Known As: Cos lettuce
Appearance: Long, green leaves with a thick, white centre vein.
Flavour: Crisp, crunchy, and mild, with the slightest bitterness.
How To Enjoy: In salads with hearty dressings or grilled.
How To Store: Store romaine lettuce in an airtight container with a damp paper towel in your fridge.
Recipe To Try: Fattoush Salad
Dressing To Try: A classic, creamy dressing like Farm Boy™ Caesar Dressing.
Spinach
Also Known As: N/A
Appearance: Tender, dark green leaves with a short, thin stem. Mature spinach has a tougher stem.
Flavour: Mild, with a slight acidity and bitterness.
How To Enjoy: Baby spinach is best for salads, while mature spinach can be cooked and added to pastas, pizzas, quiches, and more.
How To Store: Store spinach in an airtight container with a couple damp paper towels in the fridge.
Recipe to Try: Lemony Ricotta, Spinach, and Sundried Tomato Pasta
Dressing To Try: A delicate dressing with powerful flavour, like Farm Boy™ Apple Cider Vinaigrette.
Swiss Chard
Also Known As: Chard
Appearance: Large, dark green, slightly wrinkled leaves with thick stalk.
Flavour: Swiss chard’s leaves are slightly bitter and earthy, while the stalks are mild and crunchy, like celery.
How To Enjoy: Sautéed or in stir-fries, soups, omelettes, quiches, tarts, and pastas.
How To Store: Wrap Swiss chard loosely in a paper towel and store in a plastic bag in the crisper drawer of the fridge.
Recipe To Try: Rustic Swiss Chard and Ricotta Galette
Dressing To Try: A tart, tangy citrus vinaigrette like Farm Boy™ Cranberry Orange Dressing.
Watercress
Also Known As: Yellowcress, cress, garden cress, upland cress
Appearance: Small, dark green leaves on long stems.
Flavour: Bright, peppery, sharp, and refreshing.
How To Enjoy: Gently wilted, in salads, or on top of pizza.
How To Store: Wrap watercress in a damp paper towel and store in plastic bag in the fridge and use within a couple days.
Dressing To Try: A simple dressing to enhance the brightness, like Farm Boy™ Simply 6 Original Vinaigrette.
