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From Wikipedia
Romaine or cos lettuce (Lactuca sativa L. var. longifolia) is a variety of lettuce which grows in a tall head of sturdy leaves with a firm rib down the center. Unlike most lettuces, it is tolerant of heat. Origin and etymology
Most dictionaries trace the word cos to the name of the Greek island of Cos, from which the lettuce was presumably introduced. Other authorities (Davidson) trace it to the Arabic word for lettuce, خس khus
It apparently reached the West via Rome, as in Italian it is called lattuga romana and in French laitue romaine, hence the name 'romaine', the common term in American English. (Davidson)
Cuisine
The thick ribs, especially on the older outer leaves, should have a milky fluid which gives the romaine the typically fine-bitter herb taste.
Romaine is the usual lettuce used in Caesar salad.
Romaine is the usual lettuce in Middle Eastern cuisine.
Romaine is usually eaten as salad in North America.
Ritual use
Romaine lettuce may be used in the Passover Seder as a type of bitter herb, to symbolise the bitterness inflicted by the Egyptians while the Israelites were slaves in Egypt.
The day of 22 Germinal in the French Republican Calendar is dedicated to this lettuce.[
Nutrition
As with other dark leafy greens, the antioxidants contained within romaine lettuce are believed to help prevent cancer.[2]
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