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You may not realize this but the lettuce capital of the world is located right here in Arizona…at least for part of the year.  Yuma County in Arizona is number three on the list of the country’s top vegetable growers and for 5 months of the year, it provides 90% of the leafy green vegetables for the whole country.   Unlike other parts of the country, where the peak growing season is in the summer months, Arizona farmers can grow produce all year round with the peak seasons being, well, most anytime other than the summer.  And it turns out that the desert climate is perfect for growing a wide variety of leafy greens and lettuce.

Each year, more than 50,000 acres of farmland are dedicated to head lettuce with another 50,000 acres used just to grow romaine.  While these two greens account for the bulk of the lettuce grown in the winter months, many other varieties are also grown in smaller quantities.  Overall, lettuce contributes more than half a billion dollars in revenue for the state.

This month, let’s celebrate lettuce and the other leafy greens by buying local and using them in creative ways to fill our family’s plates.

Here are some great ways to incorporate lettuce and other leafy greens into your everyday menu.

1. Asian Lettuce Wraps
2. Chicken Lettuce Wraps
3. Goat Cheese Lettuce Wraps
4. Chopped Medjool Date Salad
5. Crunchy Apple Salad
6. Green Salad
7. Grilled Romaine with Creamy Balsamic Dressing
8. Join the Party Salad
9. Buckboard Bacon Burger
10. T-A-B-L-E Cosmos
11. Tostados
12. Country Garden Salad
13. Orange Almond Salad
14. Garlic Sautéed Swiss Chard
15. Penne with Swiss Chard and Leeks in Cream Sauce
16. Swiss Chard Tacos
17. Swiss Chard with Beets, Goat Cheese, and Raisins
18. Golden Beet and Pomegranate Salad
19. Bacon, White Bean, and Kale Skillet
20. Cashew Pesto Kale Chips
21. Parmesan Kale Chips
22. Turkey Sausage with Spicy Beans
23. Chicken Picatta
24. Eggs Sardou
25. Fennel Spinach Pasta
26. Greek Chicken
27. Lemon Spinach
28. Pasta Goat Cheese
29. Farmer’s Favorite Salad
30. Barbecue Chicken Salad

You can find locally grown lettuce, Swiss chard, arugula, spinach, and other leafy greens and delicious vegetables from these great local farms.

• Agua Linda in Amado
• Collier Farm in Chino Valley
• Crooked Carrot Farm in Queen Creek
• Desert Root Farm in Queen Creek
• Duncan’s Trading Company in Litchfield Park
• Elfrida Community Garden in Elfrida
• Green Gate Fresh in Yuma
• K&B Farms in Cottonwood
• La Bueno Viva Farm in Portal
• Lucky Nickel Ranch in Eloy
• One Windmill Farm in Queen Creek
• Schnepf Farms in Queen Creek
• Tonopah Rob’s Vegetable Farm in Tonopah
• Whipstone Farm in Paulden

Related articles

• Little Known Facts About Lettuce (fillyourplate.org)
• What’s in Season in October (fillyourplate.org)
• What’s in Season in December? (fillyourplate.org)