Celtuce is popular in China, where the stem is typically used in a stir fry. The vegetable is also known as stem lettuce, celery lettuce, asparagus lettuce and Chinese lettuce (none of which are as slick and crafty as “celtuce”).
The flavor is mild and the crunchy texture is great raw as well as cooked. It works well sliced on the diagonal to make chips, or cut into sticks to use raw with hummus or dip (like garlic scape pesto, for instance).
Peel the stem, then slice it up.
The leaves are very much like romaine lettuce (though a bit more bitter) and can be used in salad. Dual purpose vegetables are so much fun!
