Celtuce, the leafy survivalist

(Credit: Sauda Nabatanzi)

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Also known as celtuce, stem lettuce is a type of lettuce mainly grown for its fleshy and thick stem.

Solomon Akiiki, a vegetable vendor at Nakawa market, says it is unusual for the vegetable to disappear from the market as it comes season after season.

Unlike other leafy vegetables, stem lettuce is not so complicated to grow. It can survive anywhere even in the backyard of one's house as long as it receives enough sunlight and on well-drained moist soils, he adds.

Celtuce physically has a rough exterior which is peeled off before consumption.  The vegetable can be consumed roasted, grilled or pickled.

Gladys  Katende, a nutritionist in Kampala, says the fact that it cuts between lettuce for the leaves and celery for the stem, the vegetable is rich in magnesium and vitamin C, all useful for body building.

"When it comes to this vegetable, the Chinese and a few Indians are my biggest customers," says Agnes Natukunda, a vendor at Nakaseero Market.

She says the vegetable is used for the same role as carrots, radish and cucumber by the Chinese. They slice it into small pieces to use in salads and soups.

At Nakaseero and Bunga markets, the vegetable ranges between sh2, 000 and sh3, 000 depending on the size.