Herb
Lettuce Leaf
B tier
Lettuce leaf basil denotes huge, puckered-leaf types (including Napoletano-style) grown for leaf area—milder flavour, excellent for basil wraps and bulk chopping into salads. Harvest outer leaves; plants look tropical. Milder pesto needs more volume. Shade from scorch in extreme heat.
Track this ingredient
Unit
Characteristics
Preparations
ChoppedDriedFreshGarnishInfusedPestoTorn
Traits
High YieldHuge Blistered LeafLargeMildTenderWrapping
History
IT
Lettuce-leaf basil forms were selected for size in Italy.
US catalogues sold Lettuce Leaf basil seed widely.
Chefs used giant leaves for plated wraps.
Home gardeners grew lettuce-leaf types for summer abundance.