With its delightfully mild, nutty flavor and velvety soft leaves, mache lettuce makes a tasty addition to salads, sandwiches, and more. But where can you purchase this unique green in your area? In this article, we’ll explore options for buying mache lettuce locally or online for home delivery.
What is Mache Lettuce?
Also known as lamb’s lettuce or corn salad, mache (pronounced “mah-shay”) is a leafy European green that thrives in cool weather. Its small spoon-shaped leaves grow in loose rosettes close to the ground.
Compared to crisphead and leaf lettuces, mache offers a more delicate, buttery texture. It can be eaten raw or lightly cooked, lending a subtle sweet, nutty quality. Mache stays tender even as it bolts, making the entire plant edible.
Rich in vitamins A, C, and folate, mache supplies nutritious benefits as well. It’s an excellent source of antioxidants like quercetin too. Both the leaves and stems contain the healthful compounds.
Where to Buy Mache Lettuce Locally
Check these locations in your area to find fresh mache lettuce
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Farmers markets – Ask vendors if they grow and sell mache. Being a cool weather crop, it thrives in spring and fall.
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Specialty produce markets – Stores focused on local, organic produce often carry unique greens like mache
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CSA farm boxes – Many community supported agriculture programs offer mache. Sign up for weekly produce deliveries.
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Farm stands – Drive past farms around rural areas to find mache for sale directly from the grower.
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Ethnic grocery stores – European and Italian markets sometimes stock fresh mache in the produce section.
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Garden centers – A few may sell edible starter plants you can grow at home. Check for mache in spring.
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Restaurant suppliers – Commercial suppliers to chefs may sell cases of mache to public. Call to ask about availability.
Purchasing Mache Lettuce Online
If you can’t find mache locally, ordering online is convenient:
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Amazon Fresh – Offers mache for 1-2 day delivery in certain regions. Prime members get free shipping.
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Instacart – Lets you add mache while ordering groceries from local stores for fast delivery.
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Walmart Grocery – Browse the produce section for mache available in your zip code. Arrange convenient delivery time.
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FreshDirect – Offers next day delivery of mache lettuce and other fresh products in select metro areas.
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Imperfect Foods – This discount food site sells “ugly” mache at great prices shipped to your door.
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Specialty produce sites – Retailers like Melissa’s Produce sell and ship fresh mache nationwide.
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Etsy growers – Some independent farmers sell mache seeds, starts, or greens on this handmade marketplace.
What to Look for When Buying Mache Lettuce
To get the best quality mache for your recipes, keep these things in mind:
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Seek out smaller, tender leaves. Large, mature leaves may be bitter and tough.
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Leaves should appear fresh, crisp and bright green. Avoid any browning, sliminess or wilting.
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Look for cleanly cut stems rather than ragged ones, which signal possible rot.
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Opt for mache heads with roots attached for longest shelf life.
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Organic greens are preferred to limit pesticide residues.
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Locally grown mache, sold in season, will be freshest.
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For pre-packaged mache, check sell-by dates and signs of moisture damage.
How to Store and Prepare Fresh Mache Lettuce
Once home, use these tips for storing and serving your flavorful mache:
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Rinse leaves gently under cool water right before using. Don’t soak pre-cut mache as it absorbs water quickly.
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Dry well with paper towels or a salad spinner. Remove any bruised outer leaves.
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Keep fresh mache refrigerated up to one week. Wrap roots in damp paper towels, or store loose leaves in an airtight container.
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Add mache raw to salads, sandwiches, tacos, pizza and more. Its tender texture doesn’t require cooking.
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For warm dishes, add leaves at the last minute. Quick sautés or wilting preserves taste and nutrients best.
Creative and Nutritious Ways to Use Mache Lettuce
Beyond basic salads, incorporate mache into all kinds of healthy recipes:
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Toss mache with mixed baby greens for an easy side salad. Dress with a simple vinaigrette.
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Layer mache on sandwiches instead of traditional lettuce for a delicate flavor.
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Use as cup-shaped “boats” for chicken, tuna, and other salad fillings.
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Fill halved roasted sweet potatoes with mache, smoked salmon, and lemon vinaigrette.
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Sauté briefly in olive oil with garlic and chilli flakes for a warm salad.
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Puree into a creamy gazpacho-style chilled soup with cucumber and avocado.
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Omelettes and frittatas gain color and nutrition when finished with fresh mache.
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Scatter mache over flatbread or pizza just after baking for a final fresh accent.
However you enjoy it, tender mache lettuce provides a sweet, buttery addition to meals. Seek it out at farmers markets, grocers, or order online for home delivery.
CORN SALAD/ MACHE Information & Growing Tips! (Valerianella locusta)
What is mache lettuce?
Mache lettuce is a type of leafy, non- lettuce salad green. People who are familiar with it may recognize it by several different names, such as lamb’s lettuce, doucette, or corn salad. It grows best in mild climates and can generally be found in Europe, although it is also grown in certain parts of the United States.
Can mache lettuce be used as a salad green?
When considering mache lettuce for a salad it’s important to complement its taste. With a nutty and somewhat sweet flavor, this salad green is comparable to Bibb and Boston lettuce and can be easily used as a substitute for spinach in both raw and cooked dishes.
Can you eat Mâche lettuce raw?
Also known as field salad, field lettuce, corn salad, or lamb’s lettuce, mâche’s narrow, dark-green leaves have a sweet, nutty flavor. Use them raw in salads or steamed as a side dish. Mâche is generally available year-round. It’s sold loose and pre-washed and bagged in some supermarkets and specialty food stores.
Is mache lettuce healthy?
Adding complementary food such as avocado, pine nuts, feta cheese, apples or blueberries can also be an enjoyable way to partake of this type of salad green. Nutritionally, mache lettuce is a healthy choice for making green salad. It has high amounts of both vitamin A and C. Lamb’s lettuce, or mache lettuce, is also a good source of vitamin B6.