Corn Salad

corn salad Valerianella locusta, also known as lamb’s lettuce, a common and hardy wild plant of Europe, W. Asia, and N. Africa, has been cultivated in Europe since at least the 16th century and is naturalized in N. America.

The leaves form pretty rosettes, and can either be harvested at seedling stage on a cut-and-come-again basis or used at maturity. They have a tender texture and a pleasant mild taste, which make them a good ingredient for salads. Evelyn (1699) commended ‘corn-sallet’ for use in salads during the winter and spring. Different varieties for summer and later sowings are now available, and the appearance of the early spring crop continues to give particular pleasure.