Taiwan Sword Leaf Lettuce, "A" vegetable, A菜, "A" tsai

This is the beginning of my series on Taiwanese vegetables.
One of the most common green leafy vegetables in Taiwan is so called A菜, "A" tsai or "A" vegetable. Other name is Taiwan Sword Leaf Lettuce. It is unknown in Europe, but it will grow also in Europe, I tried.



It was difficult to find precise information of this simple vegetable in internet, but after looooong search I came into conclusion that in fact it is just a variety of Lactuca sativa L, common "Lettuce", but a Taiwanese variety.


Chinese language hobbyists cannot really agree where this "A" come from, some propose influence of Taiwanese language, some others think it comes from an American word starting with "A", possibly Arden Lettuce.

"A" vegetable is native to Taiwan. Young leaves are tender and stalks are crispy. Long sword shaped leaves are emerald green, mildly bitter flavoured, similar to spinach but more pleasant. In Taiwan this vegetable is stir fried in wok pan. It is very easy to grow and gives harvest in 4 to 8 weeks. I grow it in Europe. European union is criminalizing the use of uncertified or home grown seeds. But the directive is not yet applied. Maybe next year many home gardeners will be criminals. I think this veggie is ideal for green salad. But that use is unthinkable in Taiwan.

First I wash the leaves properly.

Taiwan Sword Leaf gives abundant harvest in 6 to 8 weeks. I harvested after 5 weeks, very young and tender, because I had to travel.

Then fry garlic in olive oil.

 Add the "A" vegetable.
And voilà, ready. Organic. Yummy.