Celtuce

Celtuce — also known as stem lettuce, wosun, or asparagus lettuce — is a variety of lettuce cultivated primarily for its long, thick, edible stem. While it looks nothing like the leafy lettuces most Australians are familiar with, it is in fact the same species, bred to produce a substantial, crisp stalk.

The peeled stem has a mild, slightly nutty flavour with a satisfying crunch, similar to a cross between cucumber and broccoli stem. It’s a staple vegetable in Chinese cooking, where it’s stir-fried, braised, shredded into salads, or pickled. The leaves are also edible, though they tend to be more bitter and are less prized.

Celtuce is increasingly available at Asian grocers and farmers’ markets in Australia, and is straightforward to grow in home gardens.